DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon

Penstemon digitalis 'TNPENDB'

Nature Hills Nursery

Deep Burgundy Foliage Stays Colorful All Season Long While Blooming
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 1 ft Wide
Showy Purple, Pink Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds

$34⁸¹

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This perennial needs at least 6 hours of full, direct sun to maintain its deep purple foliage color. While it can handle partial shade, the stems may become floppy and the burgundy leaves will likely fade to a duller green.
Soil: Aim for lean, fast draining soil as this plant hates "wet feet" which can lead to root rot. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised bed or a mound of soil mixed with some pea gravel to ensure moisture moves away from the crown.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week to help the roots dive deep into the soil. Once established, this Penstemon is remarkably drought tolerant and generally only needs supplemental water during extended heat waves. If you overwater a mature plant, it may grow too quickly and fall over, so it is better to stay on the dry side.

Pruning Tips

This plant blooms on new wood, so you should cut the entire plant back to about 2 or 3 inches above the ground in very early spring before new growth appears. Think of it like a seasonal refresh that encourages a flush of tidy, dark foliage and plenty of flower spikes. You can also deadhead the spent lavender flowers in midsummer to keep the plant looking neat and potentially encourage a smaller second flush of blooms.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in the spring as new growth starts to emerge. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this stimulates soft, tender growth that won't be tough enough to survive the winter frost. In many cases, a simple one inch layer of compost spread around the base of the plant provides all the nutrients it needs.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Upright
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Purple, Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Penstemon digitalis 'TNPENDB'
Species	digitalis
Cultivar	TNPENDB
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Gorgeous, dark purples and burgundy tones with glossy, dramatic foliage color, the DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon, (Penstemon digitalis 'TNPENDB') will certainly stand out among the other green garden plants! Burgundy Penstemon are dramatic and highly saturated plants from the ground up! The deeply-hued burgundy foliage and dark burgundy stems are the perfect foil for the dramatic blooms that emerge all summer!

Also called Beardtongue, these upright perennials send up loads of bright rosy-violet and dark pinkish lavender-violet ombre, tubular flowers on 24-inch tall flower spikes and add great contrast to the glossy purple-black leaves! They attract loads of butterflies and Hummingbirds! You'll not be able to resist snipping a few of these blooms for vibrant floral bouquets.

Shorter and more compact, the rounded clumps are gorgeous in all garden styles and designs, and all sized areas! Vertical stems stand tall and sturdy throughout USDA growing zones 3 through 8 and are hardy and low-maintenance herbaceous perennials! Deer and rabbit-resistant, these hardy native cultivars tolerate lower moisture locations and drought-prone areas of your landscape and are fantastic Firewise landscaping plants!

Planting and Application:

Perennial beds and Rock Gardens are perfect for these, and the sturdy stems make gorgeous Cutting garden flowers! Once established, Burgundy Beardtongue only needs occasional watering once they are established and are great in urban Prairies, modern Meadows, and Wildflower gardens.

Classic English border and Cottage garden perennials, Penstemon are sized perfectly for all spaces, Penstemon are upright thrillers for containers and planters on porches and patios. Pair with spillers and fillers for wonderful seating area décor, a welcome front door planter, or add height in tall urns for formal accents on any sunny balcony, porch or patio!

En masse drifts of these dark, mysterious perennials add eye-catching swaths of color in both residential and commercial sites due to their resistance and hardiness. Everyone will do a doubletake as they pass your home with a facer border of Penstemon in front of your evergreen foundation planting. Or use it on a berm in your front yard or around your mailbox for fantastic curb appeal!

Lovely Lavender-Violet Tubular Blooms
Deep Dark Purple & Burgundy Stems & Leaves
Showy Blooms for Cut Flowers, Pollinators & Hummingbirds Galore
Hardy Upright Herbaceous Perennials
Tough & Long-Lived
Dramatic Specimen, Cold-Hardy Accents, Planters & Borders

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Penstemon DAKOTA™ Burgundy loves full sun and tolerates partial shade, especially in the hotter climates of its favored hardiness zones. Not particular on soil type, any well-drained soil that has consistent moisture works! Prune back mounds in the fall after frost has killed back the leafy stems and tops. Mulch around their crowns with 3-4 inches of arborist bark chips, and to maintain vigor, it's recommended to divide the mounds every few years.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Average to Low Fertility
Well-Drained Soil & Appreciates Mulch
Regular to Low Moisture Needs
Heat, Cold, Humidity & Drought-Tolerant Once Established
Deer & Rabbit-Resistant

Low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and adaptable, these fast-growing perennials are heat and humidity-resistant! Order DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon from Nature Hills and add these dramatic native selections to your garden!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon suitable for?

DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8. This native cultivar's vertical stems stand tall and sturdy across this wide temperature range. Plant in spring for best establishment in your zone.

What is the mature height and width of Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon?

Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon reaches 24 inches tall with rounded, compact clumps. This sturdy perennial maintains its upright form throughout zones 3-8, making it perfect for borders or containers. Shop at Nature Hills for this dramatic native cultivar.

Is Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon drought tolerant and how much water does it need?

Yes, DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon is drought tolerant and thrives in lower moisture locations once established. This hardy native cultivar needs only occasional watering after its first season. Water regularly the first year to establish roots, then reduce to supplemental watering during extended dry periods.

What type of sunlight does Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon require?

DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon thrives in full sun conditions. This hardy perennial performs best with 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily across zones 3-8. Plant in a sunny location to ensure maximum bloom production and maintain the plant's distinctive burgundy foliage color.

What kind of soil does Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon prefer for planting?

Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates drought conditions once established. This hardy native cultivar adapts to lower moisture locations across zones 3-8. Plant in average garden soil with good drainage for best results, available at naturehills.com.

Does Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon need pruning or deadheading?

Deadhead spent blooms throughout summer to encourage continuous flowering on the 24-inch spikes. Cut stems back to basal foliage in late fall or early spring. For cut flowers, harvest stems when blooms are just opening for longest vase life.

How is Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon shipped, bare root or potted?

DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon ships as a potted plant, not bare root. This allows the burgundy foliage and root system to remain intact during transport. Plant immediately upon arrival in zones 3-8 for best establishment.

Will Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon attract pollinators like hummingbirds?

Yes, Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon is excellent for attracting both hummingbirds and butterflies with its tubular rosy-violet flowers that bloom all summer on 24-inch spikes. The tubular flower shape is perfectly designed for hummingbird feeding. Plant in full sun for best blooms and pollinator activity.

Is Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon low maintenance and deer resistant?

Yes, Dakota™ Burgundy Penstemon is both low-maintenance and deer resistant. This hardy native cultivar tolerates drought and requires only occasional watering once established in zones 3-8. It's also rabbit resistant, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes where wildlife browsing is a concern.

DAKOTA™ Burgundy Penstemon

Penstemon digitalis 'TNPENDB'