Penstemon digitalis
Growing Information
• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Soils: Average to moist, well-drained sandy soils
• Bloom Time: Early summer – June, July with white to pink flowers
• Size: 3-4 feet in height
Drought tolerant. Penstemons are called ‘Beard Tongues’ because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.
Garden Companions
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Nature Benefits
• The tubular flowers attract long-tongued bees such as bumblebees and mason bees, as well as hummingbirds.
• Host plant to the Chalcedon Checkerspot and Edith’s Checkerspots
Native Habitat
Occurs in sunny openings of freshwater wetlands, stream banks and ditches.