Penstemon Alice Hindley - Beardtongue

The Penstemon or 'Alice Hindley' Foxglove is a perennial plant that is charming and particularly floriferous from late spring to summer. It produces spikes of mauve-lilac flowers with a white throat of a good size for penstemon. While not the hardiest, this plant can adapt to any well-drained garden soil that remains somewhat moist in summer. In summary, it is a beautiful and easy flower, ideal for flower arrangements, enhancing English or romantic flower beds. 

The Penstemon 'Alice Hindley' is a woody perennial shrub belonging to Scrophulariaceae (or Plantaginaceae), just like foxgloves and snapdragons. This variety forms beautiful upright clumps measuring 40 cm (16in) to 50 cm (20in) in all directions, with stems covered in abundant light green lanceolate leaves that will persist more or less depending on the severity of the winter. Its growth is quite rapid. The flowering period extends from June-July to October and takes place at the top of the leafy stems, about 70-75 cm (28-30in) above the ground. The bell-shaped flowers, measuring up to 4 cm (2in) in diameter, are arranged in whorls and gathered in somewhat loose clusters. They display a lovely mauve-blue to violet colour and reveal an almost white throat. The plant can withstand temperatures as low as -10 °C in soil that does not retain too much moisture. 

The Penstemon 'Alice Hindley' is used in flower beds or borders, among perennials such as agapanthus, bellflowers, catmints, and perennial geraniums, or mixed with shrubs such as roses or silver artemisias; it pairs well with light annuals such as love-in-a-mist and cornflowers. Its pastel flowers are enhanced by dark foliage, such as that of Weigela 'Minor Black' or Physocarpus 'Summer Wine'. It also performs very well in pots, with proper drainage and regular watering and fertilising. Penstemons also make excellent cut flowers.