Pristine Deep Rose Beardtongue (Penstemon)

Pristine Deep Rose is a named beardtongue in the Pristine series, sold as a perennial with upright spikes of tubular flowers on sturdy stems. Its botanical name is *Penstemon barbatus* var. *praecox*, and it is also listed under the trade name ‘Dopensprisderos’. ## Placement The [Royal Horticultural Society profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/384688/penstemon-barbatus-var-praecox-pristine-deep-rose-pristine-series/details) records the full botanical name and trade synonym. A specialist grower’s [Pristine Deep Rose profile](https://www.jamesgreenhouses.com/plants/penstemon-deep-rose-2/) attributes the series to Dümmen Orange and describes pink-to-magenta flowers, a 15–20 in. height, full sun, summer-to-fall bloom, and use as a cut flower. It also lists USPP 30,569. Keep the plant in a sunny border with free-draining soil, and use it where upright flower spikes can be seen among lower perennials. ## Maintenance Avoid poorly drained conditions, which are a common problem for penstemons. Water after planting and during dry spells, then adapt care to the local soil and rainfall. Remove old flowering stems and winter-damaged growth in spring; do not assume all species in this diverse genus share the same irrigation needs.