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Tall Growing Heirloom Penta Live Tropical Plant Pale Pastel Pink White Attracts Butterflies Hummingbirds Starter Sz 4

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Pentas, or Egyptian Star Flowers, are fast-growing, colorful, tropical perennial plants that produce abundant clusters of nectar-rich, star-shaped flowers through the warm season. Every Spring sees new introductions with catchy names developed to grow smaller and more compact. Those are lovely and certainly have their place, and for the most part, have pushed the old varieties out of the chain store and garden center markets. However, for some applications, where height and longer life are desirable features, they cannot top the ease of growth and attractiveness to butterflies and hummingbirds of the tried and true old heirlooms.

This Pale Pastel Pink Penta is part of a series introduced several decades ago that also included a red, a darker hot pink, and a purer true white. All were considered 'improved' as they matured about 2 to 2 1/2 feet, rather than 3 to 3 ½; they grew bushier, fuller, and bloomed more densely than the Tall Heirloom Red predecessor. The name under which this particular plant was sold initially seems lost. However, it was originally sold as 'white'. However, the flowers begin as a pale, soft pastel pink and gradually fade to a milky white over several weeks, with the sepal tubes remaining a darker shade of pink. Note that the depth, tone, and distribution of flower color will vary by weather, age of the flowers, nutrition, and personal perception. It is a long-lasting, abundant bloomer that is a quick and easy way to bring an air of tranquility and elegance to a garden. The bloom cycle begins in the early Spring and repeats until nights begin to cool down in the Fall. The old Tall Heirloom Pentas can be carried over for several seasons if kept well-maintained and protected from cold temps.

These types of Pentas make an excellent background plant in mixed perennial beds. They also can be grown as potted plants indefinitely, and while highly attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds, they are not especially attractive to deer.

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