Show-stopping spikes of loosely spaced white to violet to deep purple, 2 in. long tubular flowers atop erect stems. Flowers bloom in June and are larger than other penstemon flowers. Plants in a landscape can produce 15-20 flower stems per plant.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Purple Beard Tongue
Penstemon cobaea
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment:
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June)
Main Color: Purple
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Food/Pollinators
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
12 to
24
inches
Spread:
12 to
18
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
24
inches
Spread: 12 to
18
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
24
inches
Spread: 12 to
18
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Use in perennial borders, cut flower gardens, native plant gardens and wildflower meadows.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows best in full sun with well-drained soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower
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.