Hairy Beardtongue
Penstemon hirsutus
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
D. Gordon E. Robertson
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Penstemon
- Species:
- Penstemon hirsutus
- USDA Symbol:
- PEHI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- lavender, violet, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Caloptilia murtfeldtella, Saunders' Oncocnemis (Oncocnemis saundersiana), Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Orange-tipped Wood-digger Bee (Anthophora terminalis), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal crown after fire; found in fire-maintained open woodlands and prairies.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination; sow on surface or barely cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 months, then place @ 20C for 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).