Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is a sturdy native perennial prized for its spires of white, tubular flowers and upright, architectural form. The blooms, often blushed with soft pink or violet at the throat, rise above clumps of green or burgundy-tinged foliage and sway gently in early summer breezes. This plant brings a clean vertical accent to meadows, borders, and prairie-style plantings while offering rich nectar to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Native to central and eastern North America, foxglove beardtongue thrives in a wide range of conditions, from roadsides and open woods to dry prairies and garden borders. It’s remarkably adaptable, handling everything from average garden beds to lean, dry soils, which makes it a reliable backbone plant in low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly designs.
Key Characteristics
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Height: Typically 2–4 feet tall, depending on soil and cultivar
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Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
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Light Requirements: Full sun to light partial shade
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Soil Preference: Well-drained soil; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils; dry to medium moisture
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Zones: Generally hardy in USDA zones 3–8
The upright stems carry loose spikes of trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble small foxgloves—hence the common name “foxglove beardtongue.” Foliage ranges from green to rich burgundy in popular cultivars like ‘Husker Red’ and ‘Dark Towers,’ adding season-long color and texture even when the plant is not in bloom. Strong stems and a clumping habit make it a natural fit for prairie-style borders, pollinator gardens, and mixed native plantings.
Why Foxglove Beardtongue Is Attractive to Hummingbirds
Foxglove beardtongue is a classic hummingbird plant for sunny gardens. Its tubular flowers are perfectly sized for hummingbird bills and tongues, allowing birds to reach nectar efficiently while brushing against the pollen-bearing anthers. This shape makes hummingbirds effective pollinators for Penstemon species and encourages repeat visits.
The bloom time—late spring into early summer—adds important continuity to your nectar supply. Just as early spring flowers begin to fade and before summer powerhouses peak, foxglove beardtongue steps in with abundant nectar. When planted in generous drifts or combined with other tubular, nectar-rich natives such as columbines, bee balms, salvias, and agastaches, it becomes part of a continuous nectar corridor that supports hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies throughout the growing season.
Natural Habitat and Growing Conditions
In the wild, foxglove beardtongue grows in open woods, prairies, meadows, roadsides, and clearings. It’s adapted to plenty of sun and well-drained soils, often thriving where competition is moderate and water doesn’t linger around the roots.
In gardens, it performs best when you provide similar conditions:
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Light: Full sun (at least 6 hours a day) produces the strongest stems and heaviest flowering. Light partial shade is tolerated, especially in hot climates.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained soil and tolerates clay, loam, or sand. It’s happy in average garden soil and can also handle leaner, rocky ground if drainage is good.
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Moisture: Handles dry to medium moisture levels once established. Constantly wet or very rich soils can lead to weaker growth and shorter-lived plants.
Because it’s tolerant of poorer soils and drought, foxglove beardtongue is well suited to low-input landscapes, slopes, rain garden edges, and tough, sunny spots where fussier perennials struggle.
Care and Maintenance
Foxglove beardtongue is generally easy to grow and needs minimal care once established.
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Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season to help roots establish. After that, average rainfall is usually enough, with occasional deep watering during extended droughts.
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Feeding: In most garden soils, little or no fertilizer is needed. Too much fertility can produce lush foliage at the expense of flowers and may shorten the plant’s life. A light top-dressing of compost in spring is usually plenty.
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Deadheading: Removing spent flower spikes tidies the plant and can encourage a small amount of rebloom, though the main flush is in early summer.
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Cutting back: After flowering and seed set, you can cut stems back to a basal rosette to keep the clump neat and encourage fresh foliage.
Under good conditions, foxglove beardtongue is a relatively long-lived penstemon, especially when grown in well-drained, not overly rich soil.
Ecological Benefits
As a native perennial, foxglove beardtongue brings significant ecological value to pollinator and wildlife gardens.
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Pollinator magnet: Its tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, long-tongued bees, bumblebees, and various butterflies, providing nectar and pollen in late spring and early summer.
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Wildlife support: Seed capsules can contribute to food resources in naturalistic plantings, and the foliage and stems offer structure and shelter for insects and other small creatures.
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Native integration: Being native across a broad region, it fits naturally into prairie, meadow, and savanna-style plantings, supporting local food webs when combined with other native species.
Used in combination with native grasses and forbs, foxglove beardtongue helps create resilient plant communities that are both beautiful and beneficial.
Why Grow Foxglove Beardtongue
Foxglove beardtongue is both ornamental and practical, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want structure, color, and wildlife value.
1. Striking Vertical Blooms
Tall, slender flower spikes give borders and meadows a strong vertical element without feeling heavy or stiff. White to pale-pink trumpets appear in abundance, catching the light and drawing the eye from a distance. The airy spires look especially attractive when repeated through a planting.
2. A Natural Fit for Prairie and Pollinator Gardens
This species is at home in prairie-style, meadow, and native plant gardens. It pairs beautifully with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, liatris, coreopsis, golden alexanders, spiderwort, and warm-season grasses. Together, they create layered, dynamic plantings with interest from spring into fall.
3. Tough, Adaptable, and Low-Maintenance
Once established, foxglove beardtongue tolerates heat, drought, and a wide range of soil types—as long as drainage is decent. It thrives with minimal inputs, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes, busy gardeners, and larger restoration-style plantings where you need reliable performers.
4. Foliage Interest from Burgundy Cultivars
Cultivars such as ‘Husker Red’, ‘Dark Towers’, ‘Blackbeard’, and others feature burgundy to purple-tinged foliage and stems. These selections add contrast and drama even when not in bloom, making them especially valuable in ornamental designs and mixed borders.
5. Supports Hummingbirds and Native Bees
Because it produces abundant nectar in accessible tubular flowers, foxglove beardtongue is an excellent plant for anyone wanting to support hummingbirds and native bees in sunny garden areas. It naturally complements other nectar-rich natives and helps ensure that your garden offers resources early in the pollinator season.
Planting Tips
Site Selection:
Choose a location with full sun for best results. Light partial shade is acceptable, particularly in hotter regions, but too much shade can reduce flowering and cause stems to lean.
Soil Preparation:
Ensure the soil drains well. In heavy clay, consider raised beds, adding compost, or planting on a slight slope. Foxglove beardtongue will adapt to many soil types, but prolonged soggy conditions are the main problem to avoid.
Spacing:
Space plants about 18–24 inches apart. This allows them to form attractive clumps and gives enough airflow to reduce disease pressure.
Watering:
Water thoroughly at planting and keep the soil evenly moist while plants establish. Later, water deeply but infrequently during dry spells rather than shallow sprinkling.
Maintenance:
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Deadhead if you prefer a tidy look and want to reduce self-seeding.
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Leave some seedheads in meadow-style plantings if you’d like a few volunteer seedlings.
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Cut back spent stems after bloom to a basal rosette for a neat summer appearance.
Unique Characteristics of Foxglove Beardtongue That Make It Special
Foxglove beardtongue offers several distinctive traits that set it apart from many other sun-loving perennials.
1. Distinctive Foxglove-Like Flowers
The tubular blossoms resemble miniature foxgloves, with a “bearded” lower lip that gives beardtongue its common name. That combination of form and function makes the flowers visually appealing and well-adapted to pollinators with long tongues.
2. Burgundy Foliage and Sturdy Stems
Modern cultivars with burgundy foliage add dramatic color contrast throughout the season. Even the straight species offers glossy green leaves and strong, upright stems that hold flower spikes aloft without heavy staking in most conditions.
3. Versatility in Garden Styles
Foxglove beardtongue transitions easily between prairie-inspired meadows, contemporary naturalistic plantings, traditional mixed borders, and even more formal front-yard beds. It looks equally at home weaving through grasses or anchoring a neat row in a pollinator border.
4. Native Resilience Without Foxglove Toxicity
Despite the species name “digitalis,” which refers to its resemblance to true foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), foxglove beardtongue does not share foxglove’s heart-toxic properties. It offers native resilience and adaptability without the same toxicity concerns, though, as with any ornamental, it’s still wise to discourage people and pets from chewing on plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is foxglove beardtongue native?
Yes. Penstemon digitalis is native to much of central and eastern North America, where it grows in prairies, open woods, meadows, and along roadsides and field edges. It’s an excellent choice for native plant, prairie, and meadow-style gardens.
Does foxglove beardtongue attract hummingbirds and pollinators?
Definitely. The tubular white flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, long-tongued bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. In late spring and early summer, it can be one of the busiest plants in a pollinator-friendly border.
How much sun does foxglove beardtongue need?
Foxglove beardtongue performs best in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct light per day. It tolerates light partial shade, especially in hotter climates, but stems may lean and flowering may be reduced in deeper shade.
Will foxglove beardtongue come back every year?
Yes. Penstemon digitalis is a perennial that returns from its root system each year under suitable conditions. Over time, it may also self-seed modestly, especially in naturalistic or prairie-style plantings, helping maintain a healthy population.
Is foxglove beardtongue poisonous?
Foxglove beardtongue is not the same as true foxglove (Digitalis), which is highly toxic. Penstemon species are generally not considered highly poisonous, but it’s still best practice to discourage pets and children from eating ornamental plants. If ingestion occurs and symptoms appear, contact a medical professional or veterinarian.
Can foxglove beardtongue grow in clay or poor soil?
Yes, as long as the soil drains reasonably well. Foxglove beardtongue tolerates clay, sandy, and rocky soils and often performs better in leaner ground than in very rich, wet conditions. Good drainage is more important than perfect soil.
Conclusion
Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is a rugged yet elegant native perennial that brings vertical structure, luminous white blooms, and rich nectar to sunny gardens. Its tubular flowers are a boon to hummingbirds and native bees, while its adaptable nature makes it a dependable choice for prairie plantings, pollinator gardens, and low-maintenance borders.
By planting foxglove beardtongue in full sun with well-drained soil and providing only modest care, you’ll enjoy reliable early-summer flower spikes, colorful foliage in select cultivars, and a steady stream of pollinator activity year after year. Whether you’re restoring a meadow, building a hummingbird haven, or adding structure to a mixed border, this native beardtongue earns its place in the landscape.
A few additions that will make any garden more hummingbird friendly
Provide nesting materials like cotton or plant fibers. You can place these materials in suet cages or spread them around your garden.
A major component of any successful hummingbird garden is a dependable hummingbird feeder that is easy to take apart and clean and doesn’t leak.
One of the best Hummingbird feeders that’s easy to take apart and clean is the HummZinger Ultra.
Aspects 12oz HummZinger Ultra With Nectar Guard.
The HummZinger Ultra 12oz Saucer Feeder is one of the best options for a hummingbird feeder that’s both easy to clean and maintain. This top-tier feeder features patented Nectar Guard tips—flexible membranes on the feeding ports that keep flying insects out while still allowing hummingbirds to feed freely. Plus, it comes with an integrated ant moat to prevent crawling insects from reaching the nectar, and the raised flower ports help divert rain, keeping the nectar fresh.
With a 12 oz capacity, this mid-size feeder offers plenty of space and can be hung or mounted on a post using the included hardware. It has four feeding ports and is made from durable, unbreakable polycarbonate. Whether you’re concerned about bees, wasps, or ants, this feeder is built for easy cleaning and insect protection.
If you already have a hummingbird feeder, and you want to protect it from ants and other crawling insects, the ant moat below will do the job.
Trap-It Ant Moat for Hummingbird Feeders
Using an ant moat for your hummingbird feeder is an effective way to keep ants away from the sweet nectar. These tiny creatures are drawn to
the sugar water, and without a barrier, they will quickly infest your feeder, preventing the birds from enjoying the nectar. An ant moat works by creating a barrier of water that ants can’t cross. Positioned above the feeder, it effectively blocks the ants’ path, keeping them from reaching the nectar.
This simple solution also ensures that your hummingbird feeder remains clean and accessible for the birds, rather than becoming a breeding ground for ants or other pests. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference in maintaining a healthy, inviting space for hummingbirds, while also reducing the need for chemical ant deterrents.
The first and still the best to protect your Hummingbird and Oriole feeder from ants and other crawling insects. Insert between hanger and feeder and fill with water, providing a barrier to crawling pests. Red color to attract hummingbirds.
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds need water and safe spaces to rest. By providing a birdbath or misting system, you can ensure they have everything they need.
Water Sources
Hummingbirds enjoy fresh water to drink and bathe. A shallow birdbath with a fine spray from a mister is ideal. Just make sure the water is changed regularly to keep it clean.
Here’s a solar powered bird bath.
Hummingbird misters at Amazon.com
Install shallow bird baths with gently sloping edges. Hummingbirds prefer water sources that are no more than 1-1.5 inches deep.
Consider adding a mister or dripper to create moving water, which attracts hummingbirds. They often enjoy flying through fine sprays of water.
A hummingbird perch is a good way to attract hummingbirds to a particular spot near your feeder
Use Songbird Essentials Nectar Aid Self Measuring Pitcher and never measure ingredients again. Make any amount and the ingredients are measured for you.
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Nectar Fortress™ Natural Ant Repellent
CREATED FOR HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS: Stop ants fast and keep them away from the bird feeder altogether. Use it on poles or hooks and create a barrier with a scent ants hate. Useful with ant moats or eliminate the moat entirely.
C’ANT, Ant and Bee Repellent for Hummingbird Nectar Feeders and Outdoor Bird Seed Feeders – Works with Shepherds Hook and Ant Moat – 1 oz.
Hummingbird resources to help make your garden a success
Here’s a complete guide to attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It lists plants, vines and shrubs that are in bloom for spring, summer and fall. Your hummingbirds will always have flowers to feed on.
Here’s a great article that tells everything you need to know about how to choose the best place to hang your hummingbird feeder.
Here’s the best designed hummingbird feeder to use. It’s leak proof, so it won’t attract insects and it’s easy to take apart and clean.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you clean your hummingbird feeder for those times when the nectar is not changed soon enough and mold starts to grow.
More Hummingbird Resources
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Hummingbird Conservation
This site offers detailed information about various hummingbird species, their habitats, and conservation efforts. It also provides resources on how to protect these fascinating birds.
National Park Service – Hummingbird Resources
The National Park Service offers insights into hummingbird species found in national parks, their behaviors, and their role in ecosystems, along with tips for observing them.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Birds: Hummingbirds
This resource provides educational materials on the role of hummingbirds in pollination and biodiversity, backed by scientific research and exhibits from the Smithsonian.
