Beardtongue 'Alice Hindley', Beard Tongue 'Alice Hindley'
Taller than most Penstemons, award-winning Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’ is a captivating garden hybrid, renowned for its profuse, trumpet-shaped mauve-blue flowers with a white throat, adding a serene coolness to summer landscapes.
Native: This cultivar is not a native species but derived from parent species native to North America.
Plant Type and Habit: It’s a herbaceous perennial with a semi-evergreen habit in milder climates. It has a clump-forming habit that makes it suitable as a border plant.
Size: This Penstemon grows vigorously to 36-40 inches tall (90-100 cm) and 18-24 inches wide (45-60 cm), adding lovely vertical lines to the landscape.
Flowers: It showcases beautiful, bell-shaped, pale mauve flowers with contrasting white throats.
Bloom Time: Expect a spectacular show from mid-summer through fall.
Foliage: The flowers rise above the foliage mound of rather large, ovate, mid-green leaves.
Uses: This Penstemon is versatile, suitable for border plantings, container gardens, rock gardens, and as part of pollinator-friendly landscapes. Good as cut flowers, too!
Award: Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities.
Pollinators: Penstemon is attractive to various pollinators, especially bees and hummingbirds, drawn to their nectar-rich flowers.
Toxicity: Penstemons are not known to be toxic to humans or pets. However, it’s always prudent to prevent ingestion of any non-edible plants.
Deer and Rabbit: A bonus is its resistance to deer and rabbits, a characteristic attributed to the texture and taste of the foliage that these animals generally find unappealing.
Drought: Once established, this Penstemon shows good drought tolerance. While it prefers consistent moisture levels, it can endure short periods of dry conditions, a boon for gardeners in more arid climates.
Invasiveness: Penstemons are not known for being invasive.
Light: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun per day). Tolerates light shade.
Soil: Well-drained soil is crucial. Penstemons prefer rocky or sandy lean soils rather than rich garden loam. Avoid overly moist, poorly drained soils.
Water: Water well until plants are established. Once established, Penstemons tolerate some drought. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Over-watering or wet soils can lead to root rot.
Fertilizer: Penstemon plants generally do not require heavy fertilization and can thrive in relatively lean soil conditions. However, providing them with a light application of an organic fertilizer in the fall can help boost their growth and flowering potential.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut back plants in late autumn or early spring to promote vigorous growth.
Mulching: Mulching Penstemon can help regulate ground temperature and suppress weed growth. Choose a mulch that does not hold water. Use organic materials like shredded bark, compost, or pine straw. Avoiding direct contact with the stems to prevent rot and pest issues.
Propagation: Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer. Propagate by division in spring.
Pests and Diseases: No serious pest or disease issues, but watch for slugs, snails, and nematodes. Fungal diseases can occur in overly wet conditions; ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent issues like powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot. Rust can cause small, rust-colored pustules on leaves and stems, leading to defoliation and stunted growth.
Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
Genus | Penstemon |
Common names | Penstemon, Beardtongue |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Hummingbirds, Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden |
Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
Genus | Penstemon |
Common names | Penstemon, Beardtongue |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Hummingbirds, Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden |
How many Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’ (Beardtongue) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’ (Beardtongue) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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