Penstemon grandiflorus LARGE-FLOWERED BEARDTONGUE

Also called “showy beardtongue” due to its succulent, leathery looking, gray-blue leaves and big tubular flowers up to 2 inches long! It makes this perennial one of the showiest North American beardtongues ever. Flowers are usually light pink or purple, and the plant structure is strictly upright. Great as a cut flower when the stalks are dying back. Great pollinator and hummingbird plant.

The best use is in a dry garden or xeriscape, paired together with other drought loving or tolerant perennials like Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias verticillata, Coreopsis, Echinacea tennesseensis, Dalea, Oenothera or grasses like Sporobolus heterolepis or Stipa. Due to the shorter blooming period, this gem is often placed close to other bigger plants. 

Picture copyright : Kristine Paulus / Flickr

Blooming Time: May/June, flowers for a few weeks
Size: 2-2.5’ high x 1’ wide
USDA Zones: 3 to 8
Culture: Sun, half sun. Soil needs to be drained, preferably poor and has to contain rocky or sandy components. This Penstemon will not grow in clay!
Moisture Needs: dry-medium, dry
Origin: ranging from North Dakota to Wyoming, Texas and Illinois, considered an endangered wildflower in some states.
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes/yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes, attracts long-tongued pollinators like mason bees, bumble bees and pollen-seeking sweat bees.
Attracts Hummingbirds: yes and other birds too (feeding on seeds)
Pot Size: 3.5" x 4" perennial pot (1.22 pt/580 ml)