Rain Garden Plants: Beardtongue

Beardtongue(Penstemon digitalis) has opposite, deep-green leaves that are ovate, elliptical, or lanceolate in shape. The strong, upright stems are topped with branching flower panicles. The showy, tubular flowers resemble snapdragons. The upper lip of the flower has two lobes; the bottom has three lobes. Forms upright clumps. In the fall, the plant forms capsules of tiny seeds that persist into early winter. Attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and sphinx moths. Is deer resistant.

Height: 36 to 48 inches
Bloom color: White
Bloom time: June
Hardiness zone: 3 to 8
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Spreading habit: Self-seeds

Site Conditions

Sun: Sun/partial shade
Soil: Acidic (pH < 6.8), well-drained loams, clay loams, sand
Hydrologic zone: Moist/dry, not tolerant of inundation

Sources

Jull, L.G. Winter Salt Injury and Salt-tolerant Landscape Plants. University of Wisconsin Extension.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Prepared by Jodi Sulpizio, Jessica Chou, and Constance Schmotzer.