Common Name: beardtongue
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Plantaginaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 2.50 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Rain Garden
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Leaf: Colorful
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil
Culture
Best grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of occasional drought and inundation once established. Can be grown in clay soils but avoid overly wet, poorly drained conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Penstemon digitalis, commonly called foxglove beardtongue or tall white beardtongue, is a clump-forming, Missouri-native perennial which typically grows 3-5' tall and occurs in prairies, fields, wood margins, open woods and along railroad tracks. Features white, two-lipped, tubular flowers (to 1.25" long) borne in panicles atop erect, rigid stems. Flowers bloom mid-spring to early summer and are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Basal leaves are elliptic and stem leaves are lance-shaped to oblong.
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.
The specific epithet digitalis refers to the genus Digitalis, the members of which are often called foxgloves, and the flowers of which this species is thought to superficially resemble.
The common names of this species refer to the appearance of its flowers and growth habit. Penstemons are sometimes commonly called beardtongues because the sterile stamen (staminode) can be hairy.
'Blackbeard' is an upright, compact, dark purple-leaved selection of beardtongue that features pink flowers held on sturdy, dark purple stems. The blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Mature plants will reach up to 3' tall with a 2' spread. 'Blackbeard' was selected as a seedling of Penstemon digitalis 'Pocahontas'. Plant patent number PP30052 applies to this cultivar.
Problems
Root rot can occur in wet, poorly-drained soils. Leaf spots are occasional problems. Can spread somewhat aggressively in a garden setting. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Mass in sunny borders, native plant gardens or pollinator gardens.