Penstemon plants are herbaceous perennials that feature lance-shaped foliage and spikes of tubular flowers.
Flower colors include pink, red, white, purple, and (rarely) yellow.
This perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in spring to early summer.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It’s somewhat slow to start and needs 10 to 21 days to germinate.
Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly.
you might cut the spent flower stems back after blooming to help plants look tidy.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Penstemons dont compete well with other plants, so give them plenty of space in the garden.
Light
Plant your beardtongue in an area that receives full sun.
Adequate sun exposure helps the tall stalks stay upright and not droop.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Soil
The soil for beardtongue must drain very well.
These plants are prairie natives and prefer rocky or sandy lean soil types rather than rich garden loam.
Its fine to amend the soil with compost to achieve proper tilth but avoid manure applications.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It can thrive in a range of humidity conditions.
Fertilizer
Feed beardtongue plants once a year with organic fertilizer, applied in the fall.
How to Grow Beardtongue From Seeds
Penstemons are easy to start from seed.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Alternatively, you canstratify the seedsin the refrigerator for three months if you plan to start them indoors.
A thick layer of fallen leaves can provide plenty of additional protection.
Penstemon plants are usually disease-free when given the proper culture of full sun and good drainage.
Add in a little compost if your soil is lacking in nutrients.
Mulch will also help protect the roots from cold snaps.
There are many alternative plants of the same family that provide a slightly different look and various vibrant colors.
Some of these include Stapleford Gem, Garnet, Apple Blossom, and Firebird.
Beardtongue and foxglove look quite similar.
Beardtongue is of the genusPenstemon, while foxglove is of the genusDigitalis.
While beardtongue is quite safe, foxglove is quite toxic.
Penstemon.University of California Cooperative Extension.
Powdery Mildew.The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.
