Penstemon barbatus aka Beard Tongue

Penstemon barbatus belongs to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. It is a perennial, living for more than two years. People call it bearded penstemon or beardlip penstemon. Its native range runs from Utah and Colorado south to Mexico. It also grows in Arizona and Texas. In the wild, it grows on rocky slopes and in open woods. It forms upright clumps with stiff stems that bear flowers.

Garden plants often reach 1.5–3 feet (0.46–0.91 metres) tall. The RHS lists taller plants at 5.9 feet (1.8 metres). The full size range reaches 8.2 feet (2.5 metres). Reports give a spread of about 1–1.6 feet (0.3–0.5 metres). Thin green leaves clasp the stems, which stand straight. These leaves are 2–6 inches long and look like willow leaves. The leaves at the base are broader and oblong to oval. Some of this growth can stay green through winter. The stems that bear flowers lose their leaves.

Loose groups of flowers rise above the leaves at stem tips. Each flower forms a tube with two lips and hangs down. Flowers reach about two inches long. Colors include red-orange, scarlet, and red with pink tones. Missouri Botanical Garden lists bloom from May through July. The RHS gives early summer to early autumn. Chicago Botanic Garden gives July through October for bloom. The flowers draw hummingbirds and add bright color to borders.

Grow it in full sun and soil that drains well. The RHS also allows part shade in a sheltered spot. It accepts sand, loam, and chalk soils with varied pH levels. It suits dry soil or soil with a medium level of moisture. Once plants settle in, they cope with drought and dry ground. They also cope with shallow, rocky soil. Avoid soggy ground, which can cause root rot. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 3–8. The RHS gives H5 and advises dry winter mulch in cold areas. Plants can take two to five years to reach full size.

Use it in sunny beds, rock gardens, or cottage gardens. It suits native plant beds, grassy spaces, and open woods too. The RHS also lists pots and cut flowers as uses. It resists deer, which helps where they feed on plants. Remove faded flower groups to help blooms last longer. Cut back stems after bloom for a neater look. Divide clumps in spring, or take cuttings in summer. Serious pest and disease problems are not usual. Still, leaf spots, rusts, and downy mildew can occur. Slugs and snails may cause harm, as may chrysanthemum eelworms. The sources do not say whether it is safe to eat or toxic.