Appalachian Beardtongue Penstemon canescens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PEN-stem-on kan-ESS-senz
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from July to August.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Hairy green stems
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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
