beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size3 to 5 feet tall18 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green, purple/lavender
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acidic (pH<6.8)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is a perennial for borders, pollinator gardens, meadows, and woodland edges. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. White tubular flowers rise in pairs on tall, erect stems and draw hummingbirds and bumblebees. It is not a favorite of deer or rabbits, though hungry ones will eat almost anything. The foliage can stay semi-evergreen in the South.
Pairs well with Switchgrass, Blue-eyed grass, and Sundrops.
Native range
Eastern and southeastern United States.