Pep Talk Pretty Pink Hartweg's Beardtongue

Pep Talk Pretty Pink Hartweg's Beardtongue (Penstemon hartwegii 'Pep Talk Pretty Pink') is a bushy perennial with large, pale pink flowers that open around a bright white centre from summer into autumn. It reaches about 70cm tall and 50 to 70cm wide. This is the softest colour in the Pep Talk series, and it blends easily into a mixed planting.

Why you'll love it

• Gentle pastel colour. The pale pink blooms with white throats sit quietly beside roses, lavender, salvias and silver foliage.
• Large flowers on a bushy plant. The Pep Talk series branches more densely than older penstemons, so the flowers sit on a full plant.
• Good for bees and butterflies. The tubular flowers are rich in nectar, and pollinators visit them through the warm months.
• Tolerates frost. It is a Mexican species, but this selection copes with cold winters when given a sheltered position.
• Easy care. It grows quickly with regular water, and a quick tidy of spent stems keeps the flowers coming.

Where it works best

Soft cottage borders. Plant 50cm apart in groups of three to five, with the pale pink catching the light at dusk. It suits a front border where you want gentle colour that will not clash.

Wildlife gardens. Mix it with plants that flower in spring and winter so pollinators have something to visit all year.

Large pots and entries. A deep pot of free draining mix near a front door or patio shows off the colour at close range.

Growing Pep Talk Pretty Pink Hartweg's Beardtongue in Australia

Position and climate. It likes sun and copes with part shade. Warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens suit it, and frost does not worry it, though a spot against a wall helps in the coldest regions. Leaves persist in mild areas but fall over winter in colder gardens.

Soil. Drainage is the main requirement. Light soils suit it, and a raised bed solves the problem on heavy clay.

Water and feed. Mulch after planting and keep the water up for the first three months. Feed with a slow release fertiliser once the spring cut back is done, then top up with seaweed when summer turns hot.

Pruning. Take off faded flower stems so new ones can form. Cut the plant to its low shoots in mid spring, because the blooms come on new growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pep Talk Pretty Pink Hartweg's Beardtongue as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. The plant arrives small and leafy, not in flower. Plant it out when you can, water it in, and flowering follows as it grows into its 70cm size.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to create a cottage garden in Australia
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• More flowering plants
• Plants for cool climates

Common questions

What colour are the flowers?

A soft, pale pink with a bright white centre. If you want a stronger shade from the same series, look at Pep Talk Hot Pink or Pep Talk Purple.

How tall does it get?

About 70cm, with a spread of 50 to 70cm. Allow 50cm between plants for a border and a little more if you want each plant to stand on its own.

Should I deadhead it?

Yes. Snip off the old flowering stems as the blooms fade. This keeps the plant tidy and encourages more flowers through summer and autumn.