Hairy Beardtongue Is Perfect for Many Gardens

Growing and Caring for Plants

Baltimore checkerspot, Butterfly, Cottage garden, Larva, Penstemon, Penstemon hirsutus, Pollinator Garden, Rock garden, Wildflower, Wildflowers

Photo:

KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Hairy Beardtongue possesses many beneficial characteristics. It is, for example, small and controllable, does not compete or spread widely, has attractive and delicate blooms, and is tough (meaning it is hard to kill). It is a larval host for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly and is an excellent choice for a butterfly garden or many other types of gardens. The trumpet-shaped blooms are white and light purple (some say lavender), but the leaves turn a deep crimson in the fall, adding autumn colours to yoru gardens.

Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Host Plant

Baltimore checkerspot caterpillar Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Forestry Archive, , Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 US via Wikimedia Commons

Spectacular Baltimore checkerspot on the end of a finger — Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
Credit: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Where to Plant

This herbaceous perennial can be found in forests, glades, forest margins, rocky woodlands, and along roadsides. It is great for borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and pollinator gardens.

Quick Growing Guide

Botanical Name: Penstemon hirsutus

En français: Penstémon hirsute

Colour:

Blooms:

Sun / Shade:

Watering:

Weekly

Water: Tolerates drought

Soil:

Height:

Up to 1.5 feet (50 cms)

Hardiness Zones:

Care:

Easy to Care and Grow

Propagating Hairy Beardtongue

Hairy beardtongue forms clumps and does not propagate by rhizomes.

From Seed

Penstemon hirsutus self seeds quite effectively in nature. As a result, you may propagate it from individual seeds or seed pods, which are its blossoms. If you do not want self-seeding, remove the blooming stalks in August/September. Remove the stems to ensure that no seeds escape. Flowers appear in the second or third year after the seed is planted.

Hairy beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus) seeds on a white background — Hairy beardtongue (*Penstemon hirsutus*) seeds
Credit: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

From Division

Because the plant grows in clumps, it is best to divide it every 4 or 5 years. Cut the root stem in half using a spade, gardening knife, or pruning saw, and replant immediately. It is a resilient plant that may be divided in the spring or fall, right after or before dormancy.