University releases new penstemon called 'Sweet Joanne' A new penstemon developed by a UNL horticulturist will make its way into landscapes this year.
"Sweet Joanne"
The new cultivar, "Sweet Joanne," features dark pink flowers with streaks of purple on the lower petals and very shiny green foliage, said Dale Lindgren, horticulturist at UNL's West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte, who developed the penstemon. Lindgren named the plant after his wife. Its medium height makes it suitable for a border or accent plant. It offers extreme resistance to pests and has a very long life compared to other penstemons. "There are similar varieties out there, but this one is extremely hardy," Lindgren said. "It continues to flower until frost and has shown 100 percent survival over the winter season." Papio Valley Nursery is growing the plant this spring and is the wholesale producer for the plant. A limited supply of "Sweet Joanne" will be available starting in early May. The university holds a patent on "Sweet Joanne." The plant was released to Blooms of Bressingham in the United Kingdom. Lindgren's research into ornamental plant breeding and selection, particularly penstemons and native plants, has resulted in a number of penstemon cultivar releases.
