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Appalachian Beardtongue Penstemon canescens

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PEN-stem-on kan-ESS-senz
Description

Hairy Beardtongue is a herbaceous perennial in the plantain family found in woodlands, glades, forest edges, rocky woodlands and roadsides It is native to the Appalachian mountains and Piedmont of NC. Pale to purple 2-lipped tubular flowers appear in May to July. The leaves, stems and flowers have short gray hairs. 

It is easy to grow in average well-drained soil in sun to partial shade and is drought tolerant. Avoid planting where the soil stays wet in the winter to prevent root rot. Use in borders, groups, rock gardens and native pollinator gardens.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur in wet, poorly-drained soils. Leaf spot may also occur.

 

More information on Penstemon.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#lavender#pink flowers#nectar plant#shade garden#low maintenance#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#native garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#lavender#pink flowers#nectar plant#shade garden#low maintenance#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#native garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Penstemon
    Species:
    canescens
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    It is a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly.  Hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to the blooms.  Members of the genus Penstemon support the following specialized bee: Osmia (Melanosmia) distincta.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.  White-tailed deer will browse heavily on the foliage.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from July to August.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Pale pink to purple flowers are up to 1.5 inches long and occur on terminal racemes. The corolla is abruptly swollen in the middle. It has grooves and dark lines in the open throat. The flowers bloom from May to July. The stem is gray and finely hairy.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The basal leaves are broadly ovate. The stem leaves are 2-6 inches long, clasping, and oblong-lanceolate. They are opposite with rounded to heart-shaped bases and toothed margins. Stems and leaves have short gray hairs.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Hairy green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought