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Hairy Beardtongue

Penstemon hirsutus

Also known as: Northeastern Beardtongue

Compact Penstemon with pale lavender-pink tubular flowers and hairy stems/foliage. Basal rosette that holds late into winter. Smaller and tougher than *P. digitalis* for the dry rock-garden border.

Family

Plantaginaceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

1–2.5 ft

Spacing

0.5–1.5 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

dry

Soil pH

acidic, neutral, alkaline

Bloom

June, July

Bloom colors

pink, purple

Wildlife value

pollinators, butterflies, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~8 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

border, foundation

Native states

AL, CT, DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV