COLUMN: Smooth Beardtongue

By Stella Payne
Master Naturalist

I am enjoying the native plant Smooth Beardtongue (Penstemon laevigatus). The plant was bought at a Master Garden Native Plant sale. It is an asset to any garden and a joy to tend to.

As a herbaceous, perennial, with trumpet-shaped pale purple flowers in terminal clusters, it grows to three feet tall. It is quite showy as seen in the photo. It is found in meadows and moist or dry woods in full sun or partial shade. The range is extensive up and down the east coast. A sandy soil is preferred. The plants in the picture are in a fairly medium rich soil and are doing well. Full sun is preferred. They can tolerate drought. The leaves are opposite with a slightly toothed margin and hairy underside.

The common name “beardtongue” refers to the tuft of hairs on one of the stamens. Hummingbirds and bumblebees are attracted to the nectar in the narrow base of the flowers. The plant blooms May-June.

Penstemon australis is another kind of Beardtongue from Louisiana to Southwest Virginia but is short lived.

My stock of Beardtongue plants has grown because of volunteers who pop up in the most unusual  parts of my garden. These volunteers I have transplanted to the Smooth Beardtongue patch.

The plant  does not need pruning but spent flowers stems can be cut at the base to keep the plant tidy and bushy.  During the winter there is no need to cut back any foliage. It is better to leave it as is. This helps protect the plant. An extra covering of fallen leaves will also help protect the plant.

I witnessed a  Buckeye butterfly fluttering around the Beardtongue. You can identify this brown butterfly by the large eyespots along the edges of the wings. There are two other related species in North America. We don’t often see Buckeye butterflies in our yard. From what I have read they move north to reach southern Canada. They feed on low herbs and nectar from tickseed and other plants. Around the Beardtongue I have lots of herbs. Maybe that is why they stopped by.

Beardtongue is easy to grow, has medium water use, and is low maintenance. It makes an excellent choice for a rock, butterfly, or cottage garden. I am pleased I was introduced to this plant.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.

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