Penstemon aka Beardtongue

Penstemon, also known as the beardtongues, is a large genus of approximately 280 flowering plant species. These plants are mostly native to the Nearctic region, with a few species found in the North American part of the Neotropics. It is the largest genus of flowering plants endemic to North America. The scientific name, penstemon, is commonly used as a common name for all Penstemon species, alongside beardtongues. Previously classified in the family Scrophulariaceae, recent genetic research has placed Penstemon in the expanded family Plantaginaceae. The exact number of species is uncertain due to ongoing research, which aims to determine if some named species are actually subspecies or misidentifications of already identified species. One specific species, Penstemon digitalis, is a flowering plant in the plantain family. It is native to eastern Canada and the eastern and southeastern United States. This species produces white flowers during the summer. Another noteworthy variety is 'Blackbeard', which is an upright and compact selection of beardtongue. It features dark purple foliage and pink flowers held on sturdy, dark purple stems. These blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Mature 'Blackbeard' plants can reach up to 3 feet in height with a 2-foot spread. This variety was chosen as a seedling of Penstemon digitalis 'Pocahontas'. In summary, Penstemon is a diverse genus of flowering plants, mainly found in North America. It is now classified under the family Plantaginaceae. One notable species, Penstemon digitalis, is native to eastern Canada and the eastern and southeastern United States. Additionally, the 'Blackbeard' variety stands out with its dark purple foliage and attractive pink flowers, which are highly appealing to pollinators.