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Penstemon Digitalis Dakota Burgundy

Beard Tongue

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£6.99

Size:

9cm pot 2 Litre pot

Code: 35784

Availability: 9 item(s)

Quantity:

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At a Glance

Variety: Penstemon
Size: 9cm pot
Mature Height (?):

What does this mean?

Mature Height

You can expect the height to reach somewhere within this estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position.

For Conifers and Trees this may be the height in 10-20 years, eventually the plant may exceed this height.

60cm
Mature Spread (?):

What does this mean?

Mature Spread

You can expect the plant to spread somewhere within this range estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position.

For Conifers and Trees this may be the spread in 10-20 years, eventually the plant may exceed this.

45cm
Flower Colour (?):

What does this mean?

Flower Colour

Flowers come in a vast variety of colours from pure white to almost black. Colour can be affected by a number of factors including environment and diet. Use the photographs as a guide and expect variations.

Creamy/White, Pink
Flowering Time (?):

What does this mean?

Flowering Time

A plants development is synchronised with the changing seasons and flowering is one of several changes that occur at the appropriate time of year dependent on the specific plant. While our meteorological seasons are defined by specific dates; there can be two or the weeks difference in the start and end of the horticultural 'season' between the north and south of the UK.

Summer - Autumn
Foliage (?):

What does this mean?

Evergreen

Plants that have leaves all year round are classified as evergreen. They can however lose leaves sporadically throughout the year.

Deciduous

Deciduous plants drop their leaves in autumn, look bare in winter and put out new leaves again in spring. Some plants such a Beech retain their dead leaves until the new spring growth.

Semi-evergreen

There are exceptions, some plant drop their leaves in cold winters but keep them if it is mild. These are classified as Semi-evergreen.

Deciduous
Fragrant (?):

What does this mean?
Fragrant
For plants that are fragrant the level of fragrance may vary, results may improve by planting in larger blocks. The fragrance may come from flowers or foliage.

No
Growth Rate (?):

What does this mean?

Growth rate of a plant will determine how fast the plant reaches it ultimate height and is affected by four main factors: temperature, nutrients, light, and water.

Average
Hardiness (?):

What does this mean?

Fully Hardy

Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (to -15)

Half Hardy

Hardy throughout most of the UK (to -10)

Frost Hardy

Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of UK (to -5)

Frost Hardy
Position (?):

What does this mean?

Full Sun

Six or more full hours of direct sunlight but don't forget to water.

Partial Shade

Two or three hours either in early morning or late evening sun. Very limited exposure to midday sun.

Dense Shade

Usually no more than two hours direct sunlight. Usually under dense trees, shurbs or in shade cast by buildings/fences etc.

Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Moisture (?):

What does this mean?

Well Drained

Well-drained soil allows water to percolate through reasonably quickly without pooling. Well drained soil can often be dry and lack nutrients.

Poorly Drained

Poorly Drained soil is usually saturated periodically during the growing season and remains wet for several days at a time. Saturated soil can deprive roots of oxygen.

Moist Well Drained

A moist well drained soil is the best of both worlds by combining high permeability with the ability to retain moisture. Adding well rotted organic matter to dry or wet soil will help improve both these characteristics.

Well-drained
Soil PH (?):

What does this mean?

Acid

Soil with a pH between 1 and 7 is classed as acid, ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons need acid soil.

Neutral

A neutral pH which is around 7, will be suitable for most plants. Clay soils tend to be neutral.

Alkaline

Soil with a pH between 7 and 14 are refereed to as Alkaline. Chalky soil is usually Alkaline.

Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type (?):

What does this mean?

Chalk

Chalky or lime-rich soils may be light or heavy, largely made up of calcium carbonate and are very alkaline.

Clay

Clay soils are potentially fertile and hold a high proportion of water. They drain slowly and take longer to warm up in spring.

Loam

Loam soils are s mixture of clay, sand and silt that avoid the extremes of clay or sandy soils. Fertile, well-drained and easily worked.

Sand

Sandy soils have a low clay content, drain quickly, easy to cultivate and work. They can dry out quickly and are low in plant nutrients. Often very acidic.

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’

Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’ is a striking perennial grown for both its elegant spires of pale flowers and its rich, dark foliage. Offering exceptional garden presence from spring to autumn, it combines ornamental value with durability, making it a rewarding choice for borders, wildlife-friendly planting, and stylish container displays.

At a Glance

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Common Name: Beard-tongue
Foliage Colour: Deep burgundy-purple
Flower Colour: Pale pink to soft lavender with white tones
Height: 60cm (2ft)
Spread: 45cm (1.4ft)
Flowering Time: July to October
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -10 to -5 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H4)
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile soil

Bold Foliage with Delicate Blooms

What sets ‘Dakota Burgundy’ apart is its rich, dark foliage – a dramatic backdrop for its upright flower spikes. The foliage emerges in early spring as a deep burgundy and retains its colour well into autumn. In early summer, the plant produces slender spires of bell-shaped, soft pink to pale lavender flowers, which contrast beautifully with the foliage and bring a refined elegance to planting schemes.

Attractive to Pollinators

The tubular flowers are a favourite among bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Their shape makes them especially accessible to long-tongued pollinators, while the extended blooming period helps support garden biodiversity throughout summer.

Striking Contrast and Structure

Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’ offers both colour and structural value. It works particularly well in mixed perennial borders, contemporary planting schemes, or wildlife gardens. Its dark foliage provides contrast against lighter plants and makes an effective foil for ornamental grasses or silver-leaved perennials.

Growing Advice

Watering: Water regularly during dry periods in the first growing season to help establish the plant. Once established, it is reasonably drought tolerant but will perform best with consistent moisture in well-drained soil.

Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy foliage and strong flower production. Container plants may benefit from a monthly liquid feed during the growing season.

Pruning: Deadhead faded flower spikes to promote further blooming. Cut back stems in autumn after flowering has finished or leave them through winter for wildlife interest, cutting back hard in early spring to encourage fresh growth.

Dividing: Divide every few years in spring to maintain vigour and refresh the clump.

Positioning: Prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade. Darker foliage retains its colour best in sunny positions. Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil for optimal results.

Potted: Yes, Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’ is well suited to containers. Choose a large pot with good drainage and use a loam-based compost mixed with horticultural grit. Place in a sunny, sheltered spot and water regularly in summer. Container plants may require additional feeding and protection in colder regions over winter.

Hardy and Easy to Maintain

Rated H5 for hardiness, ‘Dakota Burgundy’ can withstand most UK winters with minimal care. Its upright habit and relatively compact size make it suitable for gardens of all sizes. Generally pest- and disease-free, it is ideal for gardeners looking for reliable, low-maintenance impact.

Perfect Companions

Pair Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’ with:

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ – for rich, harmonious tones
Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’ – to contrast with warm reds and oranges
Stipa tenuissima – to soften the form and add movement
Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ – for complementary pollinator appeal

**Why Choose Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’?**

This eye-catching perennial offers dramatic foliage, elegant blooms, and exceptional garden performance. Whether used in borders, containers, or wildlife-friendly designs, it provides colour, contrast, and pollinator value with very little effort. Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’ is the perfect choice for gardeners seeking both bold visual impact and dependable, easy-care beauty.

Perennial Notes
Perennial Guide & Care
Alternatives
Companions
Reviews

Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries

At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.

As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.

From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.

Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.

Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.

Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.

As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.

It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.

Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.

Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.

If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.

By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.