NATIVE BEARD TONGUE

NATIVE BEARD TONGUE PENSTEMON LAEVGATUS a native perennial that’s both practical and pollinator-friendly.

• • Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
  • Larval Host: Supports Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillars
  • Wildlife Value: Provides nectar, pollen, and seed food sourcesHeight:
    • 2–3 feet tall
    • Leaves: Opposite, lance-shaped (3–6 inches), slightly toothed with velvety undersides
    • Stems: Burgundy-colored, adding fall interest
    • Flowers: Tubular, pale purple to white with a fuzzy lower lip (the “beard”); bloom May–July
    • Fruit: Dry capsules with reticulate-patterned seeds, maturing in late summer

    Growing Conditions

    Feature	Details
    Light	Full sun to deep shade
    Soil	Rich loam, clay, or high-organic matter; well-drained
    Moisture	Medium; tolerates occasional dryness but not flooding
    USDA Zones	5–9 (perfect for your Zone 9 garden!)
    Salt Tolerance	Low—avoid salty spray or brackish water
    Deer Resistance	Moderate—generally not a favorite snack

  Landscape Uses

  • Cottage gardens
  • Butterfly or pollinator gardens
  • Native plant beds
  • Woodland edges or shaded borders
  • Rock gardens