Found this penstemon on another local nursery's site ContraryMarysplants.com. Not sure why I never got there but I will be going this spring. Found they also carry some Agastaches I previously mail ordered before & Steve's Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler'. They have 2 stores & I can easily get to either one. Their site didn't have a pix of this "new" Penstemon but found it on this one:

http://www.circlehgrowers.com/perennials/penstemon/rubycunda.htm

along with some mighty fine looking Echinaceas.

Joni
Elwood, IL
Zone 5

That is a new barbatus cultivar to me - bet it is a good one. Barbatus has never bloomed the first year from seed for me. Their are 4 Iron Butterflies on the back porch that were started last year in need of repotting. Iron Butterfly is a tall barbatus, about 4 feet and a show-stopper when in bloom.

The new hybrid Echinaceas are very tempting, except for their price. I put a couple of the rarer species on order from Bustani in hopes of finding a good barren ground type. Purple Coneflower is certainly an A-1 butterfly plant. For some reason they have never done particularly well here in the yard. It is a puzzle because others have no trouble growing fantastic patches.

Ward...That 'Iron Butterfly' must be rare. I can't even find a picture on web & only saw a couple of mentions. Keeps bringing up Tiarella 'Iron Butterfly'. I have never heard of that one. I'm going to try a few Penstemon's again this year in raised beds & see what happens.

As for the Echinaceas, Ted from Ted's Greenhouse, just told me a couple of days ago that the newer hybrids in the yellows, oranges, reds aren't as hardy as they say & have heard of people losing them. Said some of the pinky one's are still pretty good...Double Decker,Double Delight..I heard Magnus is good. Neighbor gave me a unknown purple clump about 8 years ago & I have had several clumps pop up from this. Just dug up a bunch last fall to made way for my new shed this spring. They sure don't like it & turn black & look dead but they those tough babies take off like there were there all the time. Had 1 clump of white & it disappeared as did that first yellow variety a few years back. I'm going to be bold & get 'Tomato Soup' & 'Mac & Cheese' this year.

Joni
Elwood, Il
Zone 5

I meant to say Iron Maiden - sorry to send you on a wild goose chase.

Ha ha ha ha, too funny, Ward. I kinda thought that's what you meant. The wild goose chase just made me find more interesting tidbits in the meantime so no harm done. Tried to winter sow 'Iron Maiden' last year & not sure what happened but didn't end up with any. I will try again outside & in & see what happens. Guess I'll have to dote a little more. All the lumber on sale at Menards just had my mind going to build a few smaller raised beds & see if I can end up saving more after this summer.


Joni
Elwood, IL
Zone 5