Penstemon heterophyllus Souvenir dAdrien Régnier - Beardtongue

Penstemon 'Souvenir d'Adrien Régnier' is an old variety, acclaimed by gardeners around the world. This bushy plant is not very tall. It has a vibrant pink and white flowering that is vigorous, abundant, and long-lasting. Its bell-shaped flowers are large and produced profusely, from early summer until October, on a compact bush with bright green foliage. Unlike other penstemons, it is a fairly hardy perennial when planted in light soil that does not retain too much water in winter. Charming in summer beds or planted in pots on a patio, it is also a very pretty rockery plant and a lovely cut flower.

'Souvenir d'Adrien Régnier' is a bushy and woody perennial plant belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, just like foxgloves and snapdragons. It originates from the excellent Penstemon heterophyllus, a North American botanical species that is one of the easiest to grow in our climates. This 'Souvenir d'Adrien Régnier' variety forms beautiful bushy clumps that reach 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) in all directions, with branched stems covered in abundant foliage. The foliage is finely lanceolate and bright green. It is semi-evergreen to evergreen, depending on the severity of the winter. Its growth rate is quite rapid. The flowering period extends from June to September-October, developing at the terminal part of the leafy stems. The bell-shaped flowers are gathered in tight clusters. They display a delightful 'strawberry ice' pink colour and reveal an almost white throat striped with bright carmine red veins. The plant will adapt to any good garden soil that is properly drained and not too dry in summer.

'Souvenir d'Adrien Régnier' is ideal in flower beds or borders, among perennials such as agapanthus, bellflowers, catmints, perennial geraniums, or mixed with shrubs such as English roses or Perovskia. It blends well with light annuals such as love-in-a-mist and cornflowers. It will mingle among the stones of a rockery that is not too dry (and in non-limestone soil), alongside cotton lavenders, rockroses, or diffused lithodoras. Its pastel pink 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 fertiliser applications. Penstemons also make very good cut flowers.