Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The large cherry-red petals and white throats of the Cherry Sparks Penstemon make this plant a joy to behold when it is in bloom. With a longer flowering time than others, it produces tubular flowers from late spring through the summer on top of its bright green narrow leaves. Growing to less than 2 feet high and wide, this penstemon hybrid remains compact with an upright habit.
Native to North America, this Cherry Sparks Penstemon is adaptable for growing in zones 5 through to 9. It is an easy-to-care-for perennial and is most definitely a ‘thriller’ plant that is also loved by pollinators. Often grown en masse for maximum impact, this penstemon is also suited to growing ad hoc in a border or for use as a cut flower. Being heat tolerant, Cherry Sparks is ideal for planting in a south-facing border.
Cherry Sparks Penstemon Care
For the Cherry Sparks Penstemon to thrive, it requires a sunny spot where it will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. A free-draining soil is a must, as penstemons struggle if grown in soil that is prone to being overly wet. With average to dry watering needs, it can tolerate a hot border, but will require more frequent watering when grown in a container. For the best results, a slow-release fertilizer can be applied in spring along with an annual ring of mulch.
Penstemons do not require much pruning. However, as the flowers begin to die back, they can be removed to promote reblooming.
Cherry Sparks Penstemon Spacing
The Cherry Sparks Penstemon grows to around 18 to 20 inches high with a spread of 14 to 16 inches. A spacing of 14 to 18 inches between plants is recommended when planting out a group of this spectacular beardtongue.
Cherry Sparks Penstemon Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Perennial |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 18 - 20 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 14 - 16 Inches |
| Spacing: 14 - 18 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Red |
| Flower Description: bright, cherry-red |
| Bloom Period: Spring, Late Spring, Summer, Late Summer |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
| Watering: average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
| Common Name: Cherry Sparks Penstemon |
| Other Name(s): Beard Tongue |
| Scientific Name: Penstemon hybrida |
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!