A profusion of tubular, bright-white flowers on strong stems in May and June are magnets for many long-tongued bees. Also visited by many other native bee species, including the two-spotted bumble bee, and hummingbirds. Attractive seed pods are almost red in summer. A hardy and versatile, long-lived beardtongue. Part of our Pollinator Buffet plant tag series.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Foxglove Beard Tongue
Penstemon digitalis
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June)
Main Color: White
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High

Nature Attracting
Hummingbird, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Food/Pollinators

Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
30 to
48
inches
Spread:
16 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
48
inches
Spread: 16 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
48
inches
Spread: 16 to
24
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Mass in perennial borders, cut flower gardens, wild gardens, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies or meadows.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in average to moist, well-drained soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower, Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.