I have Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' which may be what you have also. I got it from a friend who says it seeds like crazy for her, but after two years for me ... no seedlings. The plants themselves have done fine and I also like the ever present foliage.

Here is a link that might be useful: 'Husker Red'

I also have Husker Red. My sister grew it in Illinois and hers were very prolific and full. They have been just so so for me, nothing like I remember them in her yard. Is it possible they don't like as much heat as we get?I know she neglected them, so it wasn't a care issue, she has since moved to a town home for lack of time to care for her yard. I planted mine 3 years ago and am hoping they will take off this year.

I used to grow huskers red, but it was the shortest flowering of any I have grown, so out it went. There are two supposedly improved varieties right now. But I'm more interested in other native varieties.
Penstemon don't mind heat. What they do not like in general is wet winter feet, and some varieties hate humidity. Most are native to the western part of the US but there are also many central and eastern native varieties.

GGG

I planted 24 'Ruby' penstemon in my hillside garden 4 1/2 years ago. They were unbelievable the first summer, just a wave of beautiful pink. While most are still hanging in and reproducing they only flower a little.
I'm trying scutallaria (sp?) 'Texas Rose' in a few places, it too seems to dislike these nasty wet winters we have. The hummingbirds love it!

Eastern Smooth Beardtongue, P. laevigatus is a good native. Its bloom period is not very long but it has a small footprint for the beautiful white flowers it gives. Similar to P. digitalis but taller bloom stalks.
I also have what I think is 'Sour Grapes'. It's vigorous, evergreen and bushy with a longer bloom. It takes a little work to keep it in shape but is easy to divide and start over. I've also enjoyed 'Red Rocks' for the year that I've had it.

Thank-you!
I tried the Sour Grapes. It did OK the first and 2nd year then it languished. The bloom time for me in Atlanta was even shorter than any of the others I grow.
A few years ago I removed it from the garden, divided and traded it off. I figured it might fair better in the suburban areas outside of the city rather than right downtown. We tend to hold in excessive heat and humidity during the hottest months of summer which can do in some plants!

GGG

You're right about 'Husker's Red' - short blooming. 'Mystica' is much earlier and longer blooming. And easy from seed. I really like it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mystica

Thanks Fred, I was thinking about starting that one from seed. I just didn't find it in my Parks catalog they just sent?!
I was wondering if it was a cross between smallii and husker red?

GGG

Hhmmm...consider raising the pH in your garden to above 7 toward 7.5. Phosphorus is not readily available at low pH and thus you will not get flowering like the folks in the midwest as GA is about 5.5 or LESS!. In the alternative make sure you provide "available P" at the correct time in the plants' development with a foliar spray. Try a hydroponics supplier...or, simply adjust the pH in your soil for it to occur naturally with normal soil fertilizers or high P fertilizers like bat guano.

Yes, I do grow penstemon in my garden. I have a Penstemon x
hartweggi hybrid, which seems to hold up well in heat and humidity. It is only hardy to Zone 7 supposedly, and I know it isn't a native, but it is a good performer.