Delft Blue Riding Hood™ Beardtongue (Penstemon)

Delft Blue Riding Hood is a compact beardtongue with glossy dark green foliage and upright spikes of pure blue, trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers bloom in summer, and the tidy habit suits a border or cut-flower garden. Its named patent is PP23,065, granted on September 18, 2012. [Antheia Gardens](https://antheiagardens.ca/plant-name/Penstemon-schmidel-Delft-Blue-Riding-Hood) · [Patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP23065P2/en) ## Growing conditions The plant profile lists full sun or partial shade, moist-to-average or average-to-dry soil, and drought tolerance. It gives a height of 50–70 cm and a spread of 40–60 cm; the catalog keeps those as ranges rather than selecting a midpoint. Blue flowers rise above the glossy foliage and can be used as cut stems. The same profile notes butterfly and hummingbird visits. ## In the garden Use this compact selection in sunny or lightly shaded perennial borders, where the flower spikes add vertical color through summer. Allow room for the clump to develop and plant it in free-draining soil. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and prolonged dry periods. Remove spent flower stems as desired to maintain a neat appearance.