{"product_id":"mother-of-pearl-penstemon-penstemon-mother-of-pearl","title":"Mother of Pearl Penstemon - Penstemon 'Mother of Pearl'","description":"\u003cp\u003eMother of Pearl Penstemon (\u003cem\u003ePenstemon\u003c\/em\u003e 'Mother of Pearl') is an upright, bushy perennial that grows about 80cm tall and 60 to 70cm wide. Tall stems carry large tubular flowers in pale lilac-pink from summer into autumn, each with darker stripes inside. It is a cold hardy cottage garden plant that pollinators love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoft pearly colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e The pale lilac-pink flowers hang like small bells, and darker stripes show inside when you look closely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer into autumn.\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers arrive in summer and carry through autumn, bridging the gap in many mixed borders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is frost tolerant, so it earns its place in gardens that get properly cold winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA pollinator magnet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bees and other pollinators visit the tubular flowers, which makes it a useful wildlife plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePots and beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is easy to grow, whether in a mixed border or a large pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart in a sunny bed and let the stems intermingle with roses, salvias and grasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Group several plants together so pollinators have a good-sized patch of flowers to feed on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A big container gives height and colour on a patio, and the pot can be moved into shelter in a cold snap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Mother of Pearl Penstemon in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e A sunny to partly shaded position. It is frost tolerant, and in very cold regions it should go in a sheltered spot or against a wall. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and keeps its leaves in mild climates but loses them over winter in colder ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Light, free-draining loam, sandy or chalky soil. It dislikes heavy ground that stays wet, so lighten clay with grit and compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. After pruning, fertilise with a slow release fertiliser, and give it an extra boost in summer heat with seaweed solution and regular watering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deadhead after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers. In mid-spring, chop it back to low-growing shoots, because these plants flower on new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Mother of Pearl as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small, leafy plant and builds up through the growing season, with flowers following as the stems lengthen. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at the moment, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/perennial-plants-for-a-cottage-garden\"\u003ePerennial plants for a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003ePlants for bees and butterflies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eFrost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that grow well in pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I prune it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeadhead after flowering to encourage a second flush, then cut it back to low shoots in mid-spring. It flowers on new growth, so this hard cut helps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it frost hardy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is frost tolerant. In very cold regions, put it in a sheltered spot or against a wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it keep its leaves in winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn mild climates, yes. In colder climates it loses its leaves over winter and returns in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790863991103,"sku":"PEN-HYB-MOTHER-tube","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/mother-of-pearl-penstemon-penstemon-mother-of-pearl.jpg?v=1792209903","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/mother-of-pearl-penstemon-penstemon-mother-of-pearl","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}