Penstemon-Beardtongue

Propagating Penstemon or Beardtongue is done in the spring by lifting and dividing the clump then transplanting. Beardtongues flower is similar to that of foxgloves and come in a broad color scheme, purple, white, yellow, blue, red, pink, mauve and white and should be deadheaded after blooming for a second bloom period. Beardtongue can be either evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on the zone. Deer like browsing beardtongue but so do honeybees, hummingbirds and butterflies. There are many different varieties, some that are useful in rock gardens because they reach 15" in height and others that reach 48". They bloom in June-July and prefer full sun or half sun, half shade in a well draining soil, no wet feet in the winter, but tolerate humidity.