Other Names:  Beardtongue

Brand:  Darwin Perennials

Description:

A vigorous and attractive plant with large eye-catching cherry red flowers with striped white throats; floriferous panicles stand out against green foliage; great for border fronts and along walkways; remove spent stems to encourage repeat blooming

Ornamental Features

Cherry Sparks Beard Tongue has masses of beautiful spikes of cherry red tubular flowers with white throats rising above the foliage from late spring to late summer, which emerge from distinctive red flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The dark red stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Cherry Sparks Beard Tongue is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Cherry Sparks Beard Tongue is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Cherry Sparks Beard Tongue will grow to be about 16 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 14 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Cherry Sparks Beard Tongue is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

In our experience, this plant is often able to survive in Zone 4 if given additional winter cover and specific cultural care. Please speak with Sargent’s sales staff to learn how to care for this plant.