Biological Name:
Penstemon cobaea (Prairie-beardtongue)
Natural Habitat:
Prairie-beardtongue: This plant is native to North America and grows in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, and along roadsides.
Description:
Prairie beardtongue is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Plantaginaceae family which also includes plants such as foxglove and plantain. Prairie beardtongue is a perennial plant that produces tall erect stems and clusters of small pink or white flowers. The plant is often used as an ornamental plant because of its attractive flowers and colorful foliage. In some areas prairie beardtongue is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause damage to crops and other plants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are foxglove and beardtongue the same?
A: Penstemon digitalis (known by the common names foxglove beard-tongue, foxglove beardtongue, talus slope penstemon, and white beardtongue) is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. The flowers are white and are borne in summer.
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Q: Does beardtongue need full sun?
A: Light preference: Full sun to part shade. Varieties with purple or reddish leaves will exhibit the best foliage color when grown in direct sunlight.
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Q: What is beardtongue good for?
A: Like Culver’s root, beardtongue fills a critical role, providing pollen and nectar at a time when resources are dwindling at the end of spring. Their long bloom time can stretch between late spring and mid-summer when other plants are just beginning to bloom.
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Q: Is beardtongue toxic?
A: Penstemon is also known as beard tongue and can be found widespread in the United States. It has tubular flowers that can be white, blue, pink or red. Penstemon poisoning can cause damage to the lungs, liver, immune system and the kidneys.
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Q: Is beardtongue drought tolerant?
A: Penstemon, also known as beardtongue, is a valuable addition to the drought-tolerant garden. Its tall flowering spikes paint the landscape in spring and summer.
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Q: Will beardtongue spread?
A: Hairy Beardtongue is one of the most landscape friendly native plants. It has a compact size, doesn’t spread aggressively with the exception of some self-seeding. It blooms beautiful lavender-white flowers in Spring, really providing some stunning color.
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Q: Should I deadhead my beardtongue?
A: Penstemons need little pruning, but removing the stems after flowering is complete will often promote new foliage growth and a second flush of blooms. Deadheading will also prolong flowering, but be sure to leave a few seed heads on the stalks toward the end of the season so your plants can reseed.
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Q: Does beardtongue attract bees?
A: Beardtongue is visited by a number of bees including sweat bees, leafcutter bees, and is frequented by newly hatched bumble bees.
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Q: How big does beardtongue get?
A: One of the showiest native penstemons, Beardtongue can reach heights of three feet with stunning lavender-pink flowers.
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Q: Does beardtongue come back every year?
A: Penstemon beard tongue is a commonly found perennial, which may also grow as an annual in chilly or excessively hot regions.
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Q: Does beardtongue bloom all summer?
A: Beardtongue, flowers all summer long They bloom from May to October. Native to North America, beardtongue is relatively rare in Europe. There are over a hundred cultivars of this perennial, that grow to become shrubs or creeping vines. Shrubs are perfect for flower beds, with long lasting colored blooms.
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Q: Should beardtongue be cut back?
A: Beardtongue doesn’t need pruning but can benefit from cutting off the spent flowers down to the stem to encourage new blooms.
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Q: How do you winterize a beardtongue?
A: In winter, no need to remove beardtongue leaves: they protect the plant from the cold. What is best is to cover the plant with a thick layer of dead leaves to protect it from freezing.
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Q: Do you deadhead beardtongue?
A: Penstemons need little pruning, but removing the stems after flowering is complete will often promote new foliage growth and a second flush of blooms. Deadheading will also prolong flowering, but be sure to leave a few seed heads on the stalks toward the end of the season so your plants can reseed.
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Q: Do hummingbirds like beardtongue?
A: Plant These Flowers for Hummingbirds in Your Garden Penstemon, also known as beardtongue, has everything that makes an ideal hummingbird flower: long, tubular blooms (the shape is hard for insects to sip nectar from but easy for hummingbirds), sweet nectar and a flower spike filled with lots of little blossoms.
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Q: Is goat’s beard invasive?
A: No, false goat’s beard plants are not considered an invasive species.
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Q: Is beardtongue an evergreen?
A: Rocky Mountain beardtongue, with its spikes of bright blue flowers and evergreen foliage, is one of the easiest-to-grow Penstemon. Long-lived, this beauty thrives in most any well-drained soil with full sun exposure.
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Q: How long does beardtongue flower?
A: One of the showiest native penstemons, Beardtongue can reach heights of three feet with stunning lavender-pink flowers. While the bloom time is relatively short, 2 – 3 weeks in May or June, the plant offers beautiful vertical structure and silvery blue-green.
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