Penstemon smallii

Small's Beardtongue is an herbaceous perennial that blooms for up to four weeks, much longer than other eastern penstemons, and may repeat bloom during the season. It occurs naturally in places that are in shade for half the day, but also tolerates full sun. The rosette of leaves are often evergreen through winter and the taap root makes it drought tolerant. It is short-lived (2-3 seasons) but reseeds close around. Purple stems bear rounded purple-veined leaves up to 6 inches long. Pink to purple tubular flowers with purple-striped, white throats appears in early summer. The native habit of this plant includes wood margins, exposed or shaded cliffs & banks.

Use this plant in average well-drained soil in full sun to part shade and make sure it will not have wet feet, especially in the winter as root rot will occur. Use in a rock garden or native pollinator garden as a border plant or in small groups. If it is happy it can rebloom three or four times a year. Don't give it too much fertilizer, as they tend to become leggy and prefer dry or rocky soils with low to moderate fertility. Small's bear tongue is easy to start from seeds.

This plant was selected as the 1984 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Will not tolerate heavy wet clay soils

More information on Penstemon.