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Elfin Pink Penstemon

Penstemon barbatus 'Elfin Pink'

$12.99
$12.99 $0.00
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  4-9 | Good to grow! Zone
Choose a Size: Plant - 5" Deep Pot
$12.99
$12.99 $0.00
$29.99
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Amount: Plant - 5" Deep Pot
$12.99
$12.99 $0.00
$29.99
$29.99 $0.00

• Penstemon barbatus ‘Elfin Pink’ is a showy Beardtongue with late spring blooming spikes of bright pink flowers
• 'Elfin Pink' is more tolerant of richer soils and moister conditions than most Beardtongues, making it a great choice for much of the U.S.
• Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric)

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Description

12-18" tall x 15" wide (cutting propagated). This cultivar is well suited to all areas of the West. It adapts better than many "xeric native species" in areas with more heat and humidity, like the Midwest and eastern U.S. 'Elfin Pink' likes a well-drained, compost enriched garden soil and more regular watering for best results. Shown growing with "Chrysanthemum 'Snow Cap'". Remove spent flowers spikes. Lightly prune untidy growth.

Planting & Care

Tips for growing Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Penstemon are generally evergreen and have beautiful flowers that are very attractive to hummingbirds. Most varieties are rabbit resistant.

  1. They need “elbow room,” maximum sun, heat and don’t like to be crowded by other plants.
  2. Plant only in well-drained soils; clay soils and Penstemon are incompatible.
  3. Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost and fertilizer will shorten their lifespan.
  4. They establish quickly and the amount and frequency of watering needs to be reduced after about 8 to 10 weeks to create dry conditions.
  5. When using drip irrigation, be sure to put the emitter off to the side of the plant, not right on top of the root ball to avoid overwatering the plant.
  6. Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
  7. Mulch with gravel or pine needles in arid climates. No mulch is needed where conditions are moister. Always avoid bark, grass clippings, or compost as mulch materials.
  8. Allow some of the plants to set seed (don't deadhead all of the flower spikes)*.
  9. Fertilize sparingly. One time each year in the fall is enough. Apply a light application of an organic or natural fertilizer such as Yum Yum Mix as a top dressing around the plants. Don't use high nitrogen water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Grow.

*To keep penstemon that have finely textured or matted evergreen foliage looking their best, you'll want to 'deadhead" them. Shear off the fading flowering spikes just as the plant is going out of flower. Gently bunch the flower spikes together with one hand and cut them off at the point where they go down into the mat of foliage with your clipper in your other hand. Recommended for the following varieties: P. pinifolius types (‘Compactum', ‘Mersea Yellow', ‘Nearly Red', ‘Magdalena Sunshine' and ‘Tall Orange Mix'), as well as Penstemon linarioides v. coloradensis and Penstemon virens ('Blue Lips').

More in-depth guidance for growing Penstemon: Growing Penstemon, The Beardtongue Family: Penstemania for Penstemon.

Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Bloom Time

Summer

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Attracts Birds
  • Native
  • Naturalizes
  • Easy To Grow
  • Cut Flowers
  • Container Planting
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

12-18" tall

Mature Spread

15" wide

Soil Type

  • Low Fertility Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Growing Zones

  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Ships As

Potted Plant

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

Overall rating: 4.4444447 / 5 from 9 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["flowers","plant","penstemon","addition","season"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Arrived fine

"Of the four plants I bought, this arrived in the best condition. It was still a little beat up but acceptable. Considering how much the plants cost for their size and the shipping, though, I will think hard about ordering from here in the future."

— GatorGirlinCo (4/5)

Adorable pink flowers

"Flowers are a very pretty pink shade and are dainty looking. Look best in a small mass of 3 or more plants for more impact."

— Elaine (5/5)

I hope the next one survives.

"Great accent plants for our Hummingbird garden. It died within a week but the other two are doing well."

— MIke C. (3/5)

Love it!

"I am delighted with these healthy plants! Thank you for making my gardening so much easier! My soil is not loamy and rich, but the plants don't seem to mind."

— Granny C. (5/5)

Such a cute flower and pollinators love it!

"I love penstemons and I love this color so I was really pleased to add it to my garden! I have it intermixed with other perennials. It established really quickly too."

— Hannah (5/5)

Beautiful!

"These are so eye-catching when they bloom! Profuse blooms and the blooms last for at least 4 weeks! I dead- head, and if our season is long enough (zone 5b) then these will bloom again in the fall! I have a row of 7 of these in the corner of my front yard, and the neighbors always comment on how beautiful the flowers are! Great and hardy plant!"

— Megan (5/5)

Hasn't bloomed yet. . .

"I planted the Elfin Pink in the spring, and it has grown very well and spread over the summer, but no flowers yet. I am hopeful that I will get nice blooms next spring."

— Annie (4/5)

A great addition to low-water gardens

"Thus is a beautiful penstemon and a great addition to gardens with lots of sun and high temperatures. Does not do as well in part shade."

— Renee S. (4/5)

Lovely plant

"I was late in getting these planted last spring, but they were blooming heavily by the end of the summer. This spring they are growing well. The flowers are a nice shade of pink."

— Mary (5/5)

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