Alphabetical Plant Listing

Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue)

Mississippi Penstemon, Mississippi Beardtongue, Smooth White Penstemon, Smooth White Beardtongue, Talus Slope Penstemon, Talus Slope Beardtongue, Foxglove Penstemon, Foxglove Beardtongue


Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue) is a bushy clump-forming perennial with strong, erect stems boasting stalked clusters of bell-shaped, white flowers, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), from late spring to midsummer. Resembling foxgloves, they rise above a particularly handsome basal foliage of lance-shaped, deep green leaves. The foliage of this robust perennial can be semi-evergreen in warm winter areas. The flowers are followed by small capsules which often turn reddish in late summer, dry brown in fall, and hold well into winter. Adding lovely vertical lines to the landscape, Foxglove Beardtongue is suitable for the perennial border, the natural landscape or in prairie reconstructions.

  • Grows up to 36-60 in. tall (90-150 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-50 cm).
  • Best grown in full sun in fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates almost any soils including dry soils. Drought tolerant once established. Dislikes damp conditions and needs excellent drainage.
  • Provides a bold and striking impact in beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens or in prairie plantings. Ideal for naturalistic planting schemes. Good as cut flowers too!
  • Attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators but is resistant to deer and rabbits.
  • Generally pest and disease free. May be subject to root rot in wet, poorly-drained soils.
  • Tidy any winter damaged growth in early spring. Deadhead after flowering (unless seed is needed)
  • Propagate by seed, root division or softwood cuttings. Division in fall or early spring is the easiest method of propagation. Germination is best with cold-moist stratification and light.
  • Native to eastern North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Penstemon - Beardtongues
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Penstemon - Beardtongues


By Guentermanaus, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Penstemon - Beardtongues
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Penstemon - Beardtongues

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