Penstemon pallidus - Pale Beardtongue

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 4-8, 12-18" x 12", full to part sun, white interior and palest pink to white exterior, bell-shaped blooms late spring to early summer, likes rocky soils, gravel, or sand on the dry side and will resent a poorly drained site.

Common names: Pale Beardtongue

Family: Plantaginaceae

Origin/Distribution: Maine west to Michigan and Minnesota, south to Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kansas. This plant is native to Maine. 

Habitat: rocky and dry, open woodland, sandy uplands and prairies, open slopes, cliffs, and bluffs (think good drainage), along railroad beds or roadsides

More: This pretty plant is good early-blooming forage for Bumblebees, Carpenter bees, and Mason bees whose long tongues can easily access the nectar at the base of the tubular flowers. Will self sow if happy and since the seeds are so tiny and light, they are carried by the breeze to wonderful, surprising spots in your garden. This drought tolerant charmer is perfect massed in a rock garden or a sunny, well-drained edge, or even a border in high, light shade. I have just the spot between some mature oak trees and the gravel driveway where I am going to try it. Makes a pretty addition to smaller bouquets. Penstemons, in general, are both deer and rabbit resistant as well as drought tolerant.

Nursery: Seed grown by 5 Star Nursery and Orchard in Brooklin

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons