Beard Tongue Penstemon smallii

Small's beardtongue is an herbaceous perennial in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) that is native to mountainous areas of the southeast USA. They can be found growing in rock outcrops, glades, barrens, bluffs, and rocky slopes. The specific epithet and common name was given in honor of John Kunkel Small (1869-1938)

This plant will grow to 3 feet tall when in bloom and gradually spread 1-2 feet wide. It prefers partial sun but also tolerates full sun. Well-drained acidic to neutral soil is preferred and it will not do well in wet sites. The rosette of leaves is often evergreen through winter and the tap 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 appear in early summer.  They bloom for up to four weeks, much longer than other eastern penstemons, and may rebloom.

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.  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 beardtongue 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.