Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Also known as: Lowland Beardtongue
- Native to:
- United States
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Penstemon
- Species:
- Penstemon digitalis
- USDA Symbol:
- PEDI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Confused Haploa (Haploa confusa)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Anthophora abrupta, Bombus Latreille, Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Orange-tipped Wood-digger Bee (Anthophora terminalis), Pyrobombus Dalla, Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus), Zadontomerus Ashmead Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Butterflies:Hobomok Skipper (Lon hobomok), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 30-60 days; surface sow on moist medium and keep at 70°F for germination.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds benefit from cold stratification for improved germination rates.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Wild Seed Project (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)