Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue) matures to 3' in height and has white to pink flowers. It prefers medium to dry medium soils but can adapt to many light conditions: full sun to part shade such as clearings within forests, woods' edges, and savannas. It is very easy to grow from seed.
The tubular flowers of this plant attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and hummingbirds. Penstemon digitalis is also one of the host plants for the Chalcedon Checkerspot and Edith's Checkerspot. Penstemons are called 'Beard Tongues' because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs. You may choose to pair Penstemon with some of these other native plants: Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Spiderworts (Tradescantia ohiensis), and Prairie Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium campestre). Other common names include Mississippi Penstemon, Smooth White Beardtongue, Talus Slope Penstemon, and simply, Beardtongue.
The tubular flowers of this plant attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and hummingbirds. Penstemon digitalis is also one of the host plants for the Chalcedon Checkerspot and Edith's Checkerspot. Penstemons are called 'Beard Tongues' because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs. You may choose to pair Penstemon with some of these other native plants: Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Spiderworts (Tradescantia ohiensis), and Prairie Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium campestre). Other common names include Mississippi Penstemon, Smooth White Beardtongue, Talus Slope Penstemon, and simply, Beardtongue.
