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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figworts) |
| Origin: North America |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Penstemon 'Hidcote Pink' (Beard Tongue) - A very attractive cultivar known for its heavy production of salmon-pink flowers that are a bit narrower than other Penstemon hybrid flowers. It is an evergreen perennial or sub-shrub to 2 feet tall with stems clothed with 3 inch long medium green leaves that lack any dentations on the margins and are broader than other Penstemon hybrids. The 1 inch long by 3/4 of an inch wide, on lower lip, flowers are pink with a hint of salmon and have a pale pink to white throat that is heavily striated with rose red. An abundant number of flowers, to 8 in a branch are held in dense branched terminal inflorescences (cyme) that appear in a succession of flowering peaks from late spring until fall and often appear year-round in coastal gardens. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. Plant in full sun along the coast and provide some light shade inland. Tolerates and even thrives in poor soils and alkaline conditions but requires relatively good drainage. Can survive very dry conditions in cooler coastal gardens but looks better with occasional irrigation and requires it in hotter locations. Pinch plants after the first bloom to promote a quick re-bloom and cut back hard in winter to encourage a new flush of dense growth in spring. While extremely showy, all Border Penstemon are notably short lived and for plantings to look best, they should be replanted every 3-5 years. Hardy to below 15° F and even much lower if soil is not moist. The Bedding or Border Penstemons are now considered to have a complex parentage involving Penstemon cobaea, P. hartwegii, P. campanulata, P. gentianoides and P. isophyllus. Winner of the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
This information about Penstemon 'Hidcote Pink' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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