{"product_id":"sour-grapes-penstemon-penstemon-sour-grapes","title":"Sour Grapes Penstemon - Penstemon 'Sour Grapes'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSour Grapes Penstemon (\u003cem\u003ePenstemon\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sour Grapes') is an upright, bushy perennial that grows about 70cm tall and 50 to 70cm wide. It is a heritage variety that carries the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, with large tubular flowers from summer into autumn. The colour is blue-purple along the tube, shading to lilac-purple at the mouth and pale purple-white inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrape-coloured flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue-purple tubes open to a lilac-purple mouth, with a pale purple-white throat, an unusual colour combination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA proven garden plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It has been grown in cottage gardens and stately home gardens for decades, which says a lot about its worth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompletely cold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It shrugs off cold, so it suits gardens with properly frosty winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA favourite of pollinators.\u003c\/strong\u003e The nectar-rich tubular flowers draw bees and other beneficial insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast and easy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Given regular water, it grows quickly and rewards beginners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart in a sunny bed with roses, daisies and ornamental grasses. The deep purple flowers anchor a pastel scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e A group of plants gives pollinators a reliable supply of nectar from summer to autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows well in a big pot, which brings colour and height to a patio or entry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Sour Grapes Penstemon in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e A sunny to partly shaded position suits it. It is frost tolerant and completely cold hardy, which makes it a good choice for warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. In very cold areas, a sheltered spot or a wall helps it through the worst of winter. It keeps its leaves in mild climates and loses them over winter in colder ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Light, free-draining loam, sandy or chalky soil. Add grit and compost to heavy clay, so the roots never sit in wet ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep up regular watering since it grows fast. Fertilise after pruning with a slow release fertiliser, and add seaweed solution in summer heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deadhead after flowering to encourage a second flush. In mid-spring, cut it back to low-growing shoots, as the plant flowers on new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSour Grapes is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and leafy and bulks up through its first season. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. The tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/creating-a-beautiful-cottage-garden-in-australia-insiders-guide\"\u003eHow to create a cottage garden in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-cool-climates\"\u003ePlants for cool climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003eBee and butterfly friendly plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/flowering-plants\"\u003eMore flowering plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat colour are the flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue-purple along the tube, changing to lilac-purple at the mouth, with pale purple-white inside. The effect is deep and rich, rather than a single flat colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it hardy in cold climates?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It is completely cold hardy. In very cold regions, grow it in a sheltered spot or against a wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need to cut it back?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Deadhead after flowering and cut it back to low-growing shoots in mid-spring. It flowers on new growth, so this pruning keeps it flowering well.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790864154943,"sku":"PEN-HYB-SOURGR-tube","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/sour-grapes-penstemon-penstemon-sour-grapes.jpg?v=1792209907","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/sour-grapes-penstemon-penstemon-sour-grapes","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}