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:
Hardy From Zone:
Hardy To Zone:
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Hardiness Zones
as defined by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map; (hardiness zones are not recorded for all Grow Native! plants)
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?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.