Description
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), also called Smooth White Beardtongue, Mississippi Penstemon, or Beardtongue, is a hardy native perennial named for its tubular, glove-like flowers and the fuzzy “beard” on its stamens. Blooming in early summer, it sends up upright spikes of white to pale pink flowers that add vertical structure to plantings.
Plants typically grow around 3–5 feet tall and attract a wide range of pollinators, including bumblebees, honeybees, mason bees, and hummingbirds. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and prefers medium to slightly dry soils, though it can tolerate both brief flooding and drought once established.
Foxglove Beardtongue is easy to grow from seed and adapts well to prairies, woodland edges, savannas, and naturalized plantings. It is generally deer-resistant and reliable across a wide range of conditions.
It pairs well with other early- to mid-season natives like Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), and Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), which share similar conditions and help create a layered, pollinator-friendly planting.
