Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid wet, poorly-drained soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Penstemon tubaeflorus is a clump-forming, Missouri native perennial which occurs in dryish soils on prairies, limestone glades, open woods and along railroad tracks. Typically grows 1-3' tall. Features loose, terminal clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers (to 1.25" long) atop erect, rigid stems. Flowers bloom in mid to late spring. Narrow, lance-shaped foliage (to 4" long).
The genus name Penstemon likely comes from the Latin paene meaning "almost" or "nearly" and the Greek stemon meaning "stamen". The name may also comes from the Greek penta meaning "five" and stemon meaning "stamen". Both refer to the fifth, sterile stamen (staminode) that characterizes members of this genus.
Specific epithet means with tubular flowers.
Sometimes commonly called beard tongue because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot can occur in wet, poorly-drained soils.
Uses
Mass in sunny borders, native plant gardens and wild gardens.