Penstemon digitalis 'Smooth Beardtongue' June 2008
This is one of the native plants I added last year to the Woodland Garden. It had one bloom stalk when I purchased it and then it was just foliage throughout the rest of the season. The basal foliage remained evergreen with a tint of burgundy on the leaves all winter. Here you can see Spaz giving it a curious sniff last June.
Here it is almost a year later and wow has it grown! It must of tripled at least in size and is covered in buds just waiting to burst open. Here is some info on this wonderful native perennial:
- Easy & longblooming from May to June
- Spikes of white snapdragon like flowers with pink stripes
- 24 – 48 inches in height
- Prefers Sun to Part Shade
- Prefers average and well drained soil
- Spreads by seed so remove seed heads to prevent reseeding
- Attracts Butterflies & Hummingbirds
To the far right: Penstemon canescens 'Gray Beardtongue'
This spring I added another variety called ‘Gray Beardtongue’. The foliage is a dark green with burgundy veining. I’m not expecting too much from it this year but can’t wait till next spring. As the old saying goes, the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap!
