‘Midnight Masquerade’ beardtongue needs about four weeks in the ground before a hard frost, making September an important planting window in many climates. That time allows the perennial to establish roots before winter arrives.
The Penstemon digitalis hybrid grows in USDA zones 3 through 8 and returns with purple-pink tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. Dark purple foliage remains after the flowers fade.
Plant ‘Midnight Masquerade’ Four Weeks Before Hard Frost
Fall planting should leave about four weeks between planting and the expected first hard frost. Planting near the frost date gives the root system less time to establish before cold weather.
September can provide that window across parts of its growing range, but frost dates differ by region. Count back about four weeks from the local hard-frost date rather than using September as a fixed deadline.
Give It at Least Six Hours of Sun
Choose a site receiving at least six hours of direct sun. ‘Midnight Masquerade’ performs in average to fertile soil with good drainage.
Avoid sites where water collects after rain. The plant becomes more drought tolerant after its first year, while wet soil and excess irrigation can create problems around the roots.
Expect Flower Stalks to Reach About Three Feet
The plant can spread about 30 inches across, while flower stalks rise to around 3 feet. Branching clusters of purple-pink flowers can extend for about a foot along those stems.
Tubular flowers provide a shape suited to hummingbird feeding. Planting several together creates multiple flowering stems in one section of a border or pollinator bed.
Protect the Crown During Its First Winter
Keep the crown at soil level when planting rather than burying it beneath soil. A light mulch layer can provide winter protection during the plant’s first season in the ground.
Keep mulch from covering the crown. The goal is to protect the surrounding root zone without holding excess moisture against the center of the plant.
Cut Spent Flower Stems Back to the Foliage
After the spring and summer flowers finish, cut spent stems back to the foliage. Removing the tall flower stalks returns the plant to its lower mound of dark leaves.
The foliage keeps the plant visible after bloom season, so ‘Midnight Masquerade’ can remain part of a border after hummingbird activity around the flowers ends.
