Penstemon hirsutus
Hairy Beardtongue
General
Tough native perennial, that attracts many pollinators, including hummingbirds. Deer resistant. Late spring/early summer blooming lavender-pink-white flowers. First growth are roots and basal rosette.
Plant Description
Reddish brown, hairy stems. Opposite lanceolate leaves without stalks. Leaf margins are finely toothed and hairy. Flower is tubular with 5 lobes, about 1 inch long. Dense, fibrous root system. After blooming seeds will develop in a small capsule, which can persist through winter. Spreads by seed, not rhizomes.
Height (ft)
1-2 ft
Soil moisture
Well drained
Soil types
Fine, medium coarse (sandy loam to clay)
Wetland indicator
UPL
Shade tolerance
Full sun to part shade
Bloom color
Lavender-pink
Bloom period
May to June
Drought tolerance
Medium
Salinity tolerance
Intolerant
Range
From Michigan, down to West Virginia/Virginia via Indiana and Ohio, and then up to New England and into southern Ontario and Quebec.