VMC Native Garden PerennialLight: Full Sun
Water: Average
Soil: Medium to Dry
Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8
Height: 2 – 3 ft
Spacing: 24 – 36 in
Bloom Times: May – June
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Garden Use: Tall burgundy stems are topped with bell-shaped flowers. Great color and textural contrast in a mixed perennial border. Accent plant or plant in masses. Native and pollinator garden, butterfly garden, cottage garden, rock garden, wildflower garden.
Benefits: Easy to grow can be grown in medium to dry soils. Drought-tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant. Can be propagated by seed. Attracts butterflies and bees.
Penstemon digitalis 'Dark Towers'
Beardtongue
All photos: © 2024 Elana Goren
Q U I C K T I P S
A pollinator favorite, Penstemon digitalis (Beardtongue) has tall burgundy stems that present long-blooming bell-shaped flowers. This plant is especially useful when incorporating it into a tapestry of contrasting foliage colors and textures with its red/burgundy foliage providing color even when not flowering.
Plants can benefit form the “Chelsea Chop” (info link) in early June which will make the plants bushier and yield more blooms. This does, however, make blooming come later than it would naturally.
Penstemon digitalis (Beardtongue) is a delightful, easy-to-grow plant that tolerates a wide range of conditions including: drought, deer, rabbits, rocky soil as well as clay soil. It’s red leaves add color and texture to the garden all during the warm season and even into the cooler weather.