Mersea Yellow Beardtongue (Penstemon)

‘Mersea Yellow’ is a named selection of pine-leaved penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius), an evergreen, spreading subshrub with short, needle-like pale- to mid-green leaves. The RHS profile describes upward-facing tubular yellow flowers in loose spikes from early summer to early autumn. A Utah conservation-garden profile for this exact selection lists 12 inches tall by 15 inches wide. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/99125/penstemon-pinifolius-mersea-yellow/details) · [Conservation Garden Park profile](https://conservationgardenpark.jvwcd.gov/plants/1457/yellow-pineleaf-penstemon/) ## Placement Use in a sunny alpine rockery or border where evergreen texture and warm-season color are useful. The RHS lists loam, chalk or sand and accepts acid, alkaline or neutral pH, provided the soil is very well drained. It gives a broad 10–50 centimeter spread range, while the Utah garden records 15 inches for its local planting. ## Growing conditions The RHS recommends full sun and a sheltered position. Conservation Garden Park lists full sun, part shade or part sun, with low irrigation in its Utah landscape. ## Maintenance Keep the soil sharply drained. In frost-prone areas, the RHS recommends a dry winter mulch. The Utah profile gives regional summer irrigation guidance of about ½ inch every 10–14 days; adjust that amount to local rainfall and soil drainage.