Penstemon ovatus

Common Names

Broad-Leaved Penstemon, Beardtongue, Eggleaf Beardtongue

Summary

Penstemon ovatus, Broad-leaved Penstemon, is a Pacific Northwest native perennial endemic to the Cascade region (British Columbia, Oregon, Washington). It grows in open woods and rocky slopes at elevations of 10–900 meters, has ascending to erect stems and broad ovate leaves, and features blue to violet tubular flowers arranged in whorls on tall inflorescences, forming a clumping habit and reaching about 24–48 inches tall with bloom in May–August.

In cultivation, it is hardy in USDA zones 4–8 and prefers full sun to part shade in damp, well-drained soil with regular watering; soil should not be kept constantly wet. It self-sows but isn’t overly assertive, and spacing of 12–24 inches promotes grouping or swaths that attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and native bees. Propagation is possible by division or semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings; mulch helps regulate ground temperature and suppress weeds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

18-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Bloom Color

Blue to purple

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Deep green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, semi-hardwood cuttings, softwood cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts hummingbirds, Attracts other pollinators such as beetles, ants, moths, and flies