Penstemon tubaeflorus aka White Wand Beardtongue

Penstemon tubaeflorus also goes by the name white wand beardtongue. It is a herbaceous perennial, a non-woody plant that lives for years. It belongs to Plantaginaceae, the plantain family. Its native range spans the central and east-central United States. That range includes Missouri. It grows in a temperate climate. Wild plants grow in prairies, limestone glades, and open woods. They also grow beside railroad tracks, where soils tend toward dry. The RHS does not list it as native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant forms clumps and has no woody frame. It grows 1–3 feet (0.30–0.91 metres) tall. Its spread at full size reaches about 1.5 feet (0.46 metres). Stiff stems stand straight up and give it an upright shape. The leaves are narrow, with the shape of a lance. They reach about 0.33 feet (0.10 metres) long. The slim leaves sit below loose groups of flowers. These groups grow at the tips of the stems. In bloom, tall stems rise above the leafy clump.

The white flowers have a tube shaped like a trumpet. Each can reach about 0.10 feet (0.03 metres) long. They open in loose groups, not a dense spike. Missouri Botanical Garden lists bloom time as May to June. It also places bloom in mid to late spring. The flowers form the main show and draw butterflies. Their pale color stands out against the leaves below. The sources do not describe the fruit.

Grow this plant in full sun, with soil that drains well. Average garden soil suits it, with dry to medium moisture. Avoid ground that stays wet or does not drain well. Missouri Botanical Garden lists it for USDA zones 4–8. It says the plant is easy to grow and needs little care. Its listed height suits sunny borders where plants of modest height fit. Groups of plants can repeat white blooms across a bed. The sources also support use in native plant and wild gardens.

The garden account reports no serious insect or disease problems. Wet soil that drains badly can lead to root rot. Even this plant, which needs little care, must have good drainage. The same source says it resists deer. Butterflies bring wildlife interest while the plant blooms. The sources give no evidence of parts people can eat. They give no evidence of use as medicine, either. They do not assess whether this species is toxic.