Penstemon calycosus - Calico Beardtongue

Penstemon calycosus - Calico BeardtongueSizes available: HPP quart Basics: zones 4 8, 3' x 1', full sun to part shade, bell shaped flowers in shades of pink, lavender, and mauve to white bloom along long narrow stems in early to mid summer, likes consistently moist but well drained fertile soils in full sun positions, but once established, has some drought tolerance in shadier spots. Common names: Calico Beardtongue, Long sepal Beardtongue, Smooth Penstemon Family: Plantaginaceae Origin

Sizes available: HPP quart

Basics: zones 4-8, 3' x 1', full sun to part shade, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, lavender, and mauve to white bloom along long narrow stems in early to mid summer, likes consistently moist but well-drained fertile soils in full sun positions, but once established, has some drought tolerance in shadier spots.

Common names: Calico Beardtongue, Long-sepal Beardtongue, Smooth Penstemon

Family: Plantaginaceae

Origin/Distribution: Go Botany says this is native to the southeastern and midwestern states. It has established in all of New England, but is not native here.

Habitat: woodland edge, open and rocky woods, oak savanna, pasture, roadside, rocky outcrops and slopes (limestone), and damp, low spots in grassland

More: Penstemons are, in general, deer and rabbit resistant and they all make great cut flowers. This penstemon is more shade tolerant than others, but will not flower well in deep shade. The seed heads also make good detail in a bouquet and are long standing texture for the fall into winter garden. Will be visited by long-tongued pollinators such as bees, sphinx moths, and hummingbirds. 

Source: sown at Honey petal Plants with seed from Diane's Seeds

Image credits: courtesy of Diane's Seeds