Beardtongue Proper 'Apple Blossom'

Penstemon 'Apple Blossom' is a beautiful and delicate-looking perennial that is highly prized for its long flowering season and soft colour. It produces elegant, upright spikes of bell-shaped flowers that are a gentle pale pink with a white throat, resembling the colours of apple blossoms. The foliage is narrow and semi-evergreen in milder winters. It typically grows to a height of 60-70cm. While many Penstemons are short-lived, 'Apple Blossom' is relatively reliable if given the right conditions. It is hardy to H4, meaning it may need protection in very cold or exposed gardens, and particularly needs well-drained soil to survive a wet winter. It thrives in full sun or very light partial shade. To ensure its survival and encourage a bushy habit, it should not be cut back until the spring when the new growth starts to appear at the base. Regular deadheading throughout the summer will keep the flowers coming until the first frosts. It is an excellent choice for a mid-border position and looks wonderful in a variety of colour schemes.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam or sand.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.