Penstemon 'Sour Grapes'

This variety can have issues with Slugs and Snails as well as Powdery Mildew. For Slugs and Snails, it is important to keep the area around the plant debris free and as dry as possible, especially at night as slugs and snails love damp conditions. You can use barriers such as egg shells or copper wire to surround the plant to prevent slugs and snails reaching the leaves. It is also a good idea to spray your plant with water which has boiled some garlic in it for around 2 hours. For more serious slug and snail control you can also use specific nematodes that will find the pests and cause them to die. To prevent Powdery Mildew you should try to prevent crowded and humid conditions. Properly space plants apart and get rid of any weeds. Water at the soil and try to prevent soil splashing from the soil onto the leaves.MORE

This variety will grow in areas of moderate sunlight, including around 4-6 hours of dappled sunlight in partial shade but also grows in full sun.

You will want to mix in plenty of organic matter such as garden compost into the soil before planting. If your soil is particularly clay-heavy and easily becomes waterlogged, add some perlite or gravel into the soil to improve drainage.

Deadhead the plant regularly to promote continuous blooms. In spring, after the last frost, cut back to just above new shoots, or lowest healthy leaves.