What they do
Penstemons provide bright, tubular flowers that offer nectar and help keep your garden blooming through the warmer months.
Plant profile
Penstemons
Genus Penstemon
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Penstemons
Aliases
Beardtongue
Native Range
Many species are native to North America; choose species suited to your region when possible.
Bloom window
Late spring through summer (varies by species)
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Penstemons (genus Penstemon) are a flexible group of wildflowers that can fit into many garden styles—from neat front-yard beds to more natural, meadow-like plantings. Their tubular flowers are easy to spot and can keep a pollinator patch looking lively through much of the warm season.
If you’re new to penstemons, focus on two things: light and drainage. A sunny spot with soil that doesn’t stay wet is usually the difference between a plant that thrives and one that struggles. In containers, choose a pot with drainage holes and a free-draining mix, and avoid letting the pot sit in a saucer of water.
For a simple, low-stress approach, plant penstemons in a small group (3–5 plants if you have space) and pair them with other wildflowers that bloom earlier and later. That way, your garden offers flowers across the season, not just for a few weeks.
Best role for pollinators
Sunny gardens, pollinator patches, and containers with good drainage
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Beardtongue |
| Bloom window | Late spring through summer (varies by species) |
| Typical height | Varies by species; often knee- to waist-high |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies |
| Light & moisture | Sun to part sun; best in well-drained soil and moderate moisture |
| Best roles for pollinators | Sunny gardens, pollinator patches, and containers with good drainage |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Give them plenty of light and soil that drains well; water to establish, then avoid keeping the roots constantly wet.
One best action
Choose a spot (or pot) with excellent drainage—this is the biggest factor for success.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Penstemons are a practical way to add long-lasting, pollinator-friendly blooms to sunny spaces, including small gardens and containers.
The nickname “beardtongue” comes from a fuzzy, tongue-like structure inside many penstemon flowers.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Tubular flowers can be especially useful for pollinators that prefer deeper blooms.
- Many penstemons are tough, low-fuss perennials once established.
- They add vertical color and structure, making small pollinator patches feel fuller.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Look for upright stems topped with clusters of tubular flowers and neat, often lance-shaped leaves.
Leaves
Leaves are often narrow to lance-shaped and can be arranged along the stem or in a basal clump, depending on the species.
Flowers
Flowers are tubular and two-lipped, usually held in clusters near the top of upright stems; colors vary widely by species and cultivar.
Fruits
After flowering, small seed capsules form; leaving some seedheads can add interest and may allow gentle self-seeding.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Open, sunny areas
- Well-drained slopes and edges
- Meadows and dry clearings (varies by species)
Where it is often used
- Pollinator patch centerpiece
- Sunny border or front-yard bed
- Rock garden or dry edge (where soil drains quickly)
- Container planting (use a large pot with drainage holes)
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Bloom timing depends on the species, but many penstemons flower from late spring into summer.
Bloom Season Role: A strong mid-season nectar plant with showy flowers
Seasonal benefits
- Keeps nectar available as the season warms up
- Adds color when many early spring flowers are finishing
- Pairs well with later-blooming plants to extend the overall bloom season
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Best in full sun; part sun can work, especially in hotter, exposed sites.
Soil type
Well-drained soil is key. If your soil is heavy, mix in grit or plant on a slight mound or in a raised bed.
Moisture needs
Water regularly during the first season to help roots establish. After that, water deeply but less often, letting the soil dry a bit between waterings.
Planting method
Plant in spring or early fall. Space plants so air can move between them, which helps reduce stress and rot.
Mulching tips
Use a light mulch (like shredded leaves or fine bark) and keep it from piling against the crown. Avoid thick, soggy mulch in low-drainage spots.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Pick a sunny spot (or a large pot) with excellent drainage.
- Loosen the soil and remove weeds; if soil is heavy, add grit or compost to improve structure and drainage.
- Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot—don’t bury the crown.
- Water in well, then keep evenly moist for a few weeks while the plant settles in.
- Add a light mulch and label the spot so you remember what’s planted where.
Seasonal care
- Deadhead some spent blooms to encourage more flowering, or leave a few seedheads to finish naturally.
- Water during long dry spells, especially in the first year.
- In late fall or spring, tidy old stems if needed, but avoid cutting too early if the plant is still protecting its crown.
- Divide or replant if clumps become crowded or flowering slows over time (timing depends on the species).
What not to do
- Planting penstemons where water sits after rain
- Watering on a schedule instead of checking the soil
- Using broad-spectrum pesticides to “solve” garden problems
- Burying the crown under thick mulch
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Wild lupines
- Spring-blooming native wildflowers suited to your area
Mid-Season Bloom
- Bee balm
- Black-eyed Susans
- Native salvias
Late-Season Bloom
- Goldenrods
- Asters
- Native grasses for structure
Penstemons include many species and garden varieties; if you’re planting in Toronto, ask for region-appropriate options and prioritize plants grown for outdoor conditions rather than indoor “gift pot” types.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see on plant tags or garden guides:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Pollinators supported
Species that benefit from this plant
Bee flies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
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Brushfoots
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
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Bumble bees
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
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Clearwing moths
Adults can move pollen between blooms, and their presence can signal how healthy local plant communities are.
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Digger bees
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping wild plants and many garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Flower flies / hoverflies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
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Hawk / sphinx moths
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
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Hummingbirds
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping many plants reproduce.
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Leafcutter bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Long-horned bees
They move pollen between flowers as they feed, supporting seed and fruit set in many wild plants and some crops.
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Long-nosed bats
They move pollen between flowers over long distances, helping some plants set fruit and seed.
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Mason bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
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Mining bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Nectar-feeding bats
They move pollen between flowers over long distances and help many plants set fruit and seed.
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Paper wasps
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
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Silkmoths (giant moths)
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
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Skippers
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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Small nectar moths (micro-moths)
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
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Soldier beetles
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
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Soldier flies
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
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Swallowtails
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
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Sweat bees
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
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Whites & sulphurs
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
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Regions
Where this plant is native
California Deserts & Southern Nevada (Mojave)
The Mojave is a warm-desert region where life is shaped by limited water, intense sun, and big temperature swings.
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Image
Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland
The Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland is a busy, people-centered coastal lowland with rivers, shorelines, and patches of forest and meadow.
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