Carolyn's Hope - Beardtongue (Penstemon)

Carolyn’s Hope is a Colorado-developed Mexican–American hybrid beardtongue with dark pink buds that open to tubular pink flowers with white throats. Glossy green foliage stays attractive through the growing season, while flowering continues through much of summer. The selection was developed by Brian Core and introduced through Plant Select in 2014. See the [Plant Select profile](https://plantselect.org/plant/penstemon-carolyn-s-hope-mexicali-hybrid/) for its 14–18 inch height, 12–14 inch width, USDA zones 4b–8, flowering season, and regional growing details; the [introduction story](https://plantselect.org/plantstories/planting-hope-for-a-cure-for-breast-cancer/) describes its background and care. ## Growing conditions Grow in full sun to part sun in clay, loam, or sandy soil. Plant Select recommends moderate to dry conditions and reports deer resistance and value to pollinators. Use Carolyn’s Hope in perennial or mixed borders and containers. ## Maintenance Deadhead to encourage continued flowering. After an early flush, cutting the stems back can promote later summer blooms, though this is optional. Leave foliage until spring before trimming old stems.