Onyx and Pearls pairs near-black foliage with pale lilac flowers that have white interiors; from a distance the blooms read as white. It is a tall, full beardtongue, reaching about 42 inches, and flowers from early into midsummer.
The dark and light contrast makes it a good focal plant in a sunny border or a naturalized planting. It is drought tolerant, takes heat and humidity, is very cold hardy and is seldom bothered by pests. Hummingbirds and bees visit the flowers.
What it looks like
Tall, dark stems carry loose clusters of tubular flowers about an inch long in very pale lilac with white, flared interiors, so they look nearly white from afar. The leaves are lance-shaped, glossy and near-black purple, forming a full basal clump with smaller leaves on the stems. The plant grows about 42 inches tall and 38 to 42 inches wide. At peak bloom a haze of pale flowers floats above the dark foliage for strong contrast.
Growing it with lavender
Onyx and Pearls likes the same sun and drainage as lavender, and its near-black leaves and pale flowers give a crisp contrast behind lavender's violet spikes in early summer.
Care
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil; it is drought tolerant once established and should not sit wet over winter. Hardy in zones 3-8. Cut spent flower stems back to the basal foliage after bloom.
At a glance
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Botanical name: Penstemon
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Flower color: Pale lilac with white interiors
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Foliage: Near-black purple
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Growth habit: Tall, full upright clump
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Mature size: 42 in tall × 38–42 in wide
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USDA hardiness zones: 3–8
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Light: full sun
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Bloom start: Mid-June
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Peak bloom: Late-June
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Bloom pattern: Single Flush
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Deer resistance: Moderately resistant
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Pollinator value: Great
Sizes and shipping
Dormant bare-root plant, sold in boxes of 25 per variety (order in multiples of 25). Bare-root plants ship or are picked up March 1–May 31 only. They are soil-free, so they may ship to every state in that window. Dormant plants often show little or no top growth on arrival; plant or heel them in promptly.
Lavender companion · grow guide
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