Penstemon digitalis – Foxglove Beardtongue

General Information: A native deer-resistant wildflower common to the tall grass prairie ecosystem. Profusions of white tube-shaped flowers emerge from green and maroon stems in late spring. Many cultivars have been developed, and this plant is widely distributed in the nursery trade. Our plantings have been on the farm for years, constantly re-seeding and crossing genetics, so any cultivar traits that may appear usually do so sporadically. These plants will readily re-seed on bare ground, making them an ideal choice for restoration projects and gardening enthusiasts alike! A rosette of purple-green leaves remains low to the ground throughout the winter. By early spring, the leaves begin to perk up, and new growth starts. The blooming period depends on the temperature of the spring and can run from late May to mid July. The seed pods ripen in September. By late fall, most of the plant dies back except for a few of the larger basal leaves, which remain evergreen and give the plant the first flushes of energy needed to grow again the following year.

Cultivation Details: Foxglove Beardtongue is a lovely native flower that is attractive to pollinators and people alike. Consider pairing with other pollinator-friendly wildflowers. They may be grown to add diversity to pollinator diets, to compliment other late-spring and early-summer blooms, or to fill in among Spring Ephemerals once they are done for the year. Foxglove Beardtongue is also suitable for container planting in window boxes, whiskey barrels, or other medium to large sized planters. The flowers are suitable for cut flower arrangements. This plant can easily be spread by seeds to form a ground cover. Seed should be directly sown and pressed into weed-free soil in late fall or early winter before the ground completely freezes. Plants grown as a ground cover send out flowers 1-2 years after seeding and will need their dried flower stalks removed each year. If seeding is not desired, the plant may be deadheaded. Deadheading usually results in prolonged blooms with this species. With a good deadheading schedule, it is possible to maintain this species’ flowers all the way until November!

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Plants in partial shade tend to grow leggier, and may not produce as many flowers. Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Tolerant of most soil types. Notably tolerant of clay soils as long as they are well-drained. Suitable for mildly acidic and neutral soils. Tolerates mildly alkaline soils.