{"product_id":"penstemon-blackbird-seeds","title":"Penstemon ‘Blackbird’ Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePenstemon ‘Blackbird’\u003c\/b\u003e (\u003ci\u003ePenstemon hybrida\u003c\/i\u003e). Revered by cottage garden enthusiasts and florists alike, this captivating perennial produces tall, graceful spires loaded with large, tubular bell-shaped flowers in an opulent shade of deep plum-purple with white-throated interiors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStriking and resilient, 'Blackbird' flowers continuously from late spring right through to late autumn. Its arching stems and dark green foliage provide a rich, moody contrast to lighter garden blooms. Highly adaptable to warm, dry conditions once established, Penstemon is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant favourite that acts as an irresistible magnet for nectar-loving native bees, butterflies, and pollinators. Excellent as a cut flower, 'Blackbird' adds dramatic height, rich texture, and classic elegance to fresh vase arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's to love ?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDramatic Velvet Blooms:\u003c\/b\u003e Deep plum-purple trumpet flowers with intricate white throats bring rich colour depth to borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eExceptionally Long Flowering:\u003c\/b\u003e Keeps pushing out lush flower spires non-stop from late spring until late autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinator Favourite:\u003c\/b\u003e Nectar-rich blooms draw beneficial bees, butterflies, and garden pollinators all season long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDrought-Tolerant \u0026amp; Low Maintenance:\u003c\/b\u003e Thrives in heat and dry spells once established, returning reliably year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStunning Cut Flower:\u003c\/b\u003e Sturdy vertical stems make excellent statement fillers for fresh garden bouquets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Information (Australia):\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003ePenstemon hybrida\u003c\/i\u003e 'Blackbird'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Semi-Evergreen Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSowing Season:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperate\/Cool (e.g., Victoria, Tasmania):\u003c\/b\u003e Late Winter to Early Spring (indoors\/shadehouse) or Autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubtropical:\u003c\/b\u003e Autumn through to Early Spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTropical:\u003c\/b\u003e Autumn to Early Winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Position:\u003c\/b\u003e Full Sun to Part Shade (prefers full sun for maximum bloom production; afternoon shade in hot regions).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSowing Depth:\u003c\/b\u003e Surface sow (0.1cm). \u003ci\u003eRequires light to germinate; gently press seeds onto moist seed raising mix without covering.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Spacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 40–50cm apart between plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 75–90cm tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGermination Temp:\u003c\/b\u003e 18°C–22°C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGermination Time:\u003c\/b\u003e 14–21 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeed to Bloom\/Harvest Time:\u003c\/b\u003e 120–140 days (blooms in its first year when sown early).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGardener’s Tip:\u003c\/b\u003e Deadhead spent flower spires regularly throughout summer to encourage continuous fresh growth and new flower spikes. In late winter, cut the plant back hard to 10–15cm above the ground to promote lush foliage and robust stems for the coming season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Gatherer Forager","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54427297317137,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0671\/4323\/7905\/files\/Penstemon_black_bird_seeds_Australia.jpg?v=1788227708","url":"https:\/\/www.gathererforager.com\/products\/penstemon-blackbird-seeds","provider":"Gatherer Forager","version":"1.0","type":"link"}