Penstemon glaber
Western North American perennial with blue to violet tubular bilabiate flowers on tall stems, hairless to puberulent leaves, and a long, directionally oriented inflorescence; native from western-central and central North America to northeastern Mexico, with three recognized varieties across plains and montane habitats, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, adapted to rocky or sandy habitats, and pollinated by bumble bees.
Common Names
Smooth Beardtongue, Sawsepal Penstemon, Smooth Penstemon, Western Smooth Beardtongue
Summary
Smooth Beardtongue is a herbaceous perennial native to western North America, typically 10–80 cm tall with stems that are glabrous to puberulent, forming a many-stemmed crown. It has basal and cauline leaves; inflorescences range 3–30 cm and bear 2–12 flowers per node on two to four cymes; flowers are blue to violet, bilabiate, 24–48 mm long, with reddish nectar guides, and bloom Jun–Aug.
For cultivation, it grows best in full sun to partial shade on well-drained soil, is drought-tolerant, and can be propagated by seed or division; it is used as an ornamental garden plant and serves as a nectar source for bees and butterflies, and is deer resistant.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4 inches-2.5 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-6b
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained, sandy to gravelly, stony soils
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Bloom Color
Blue to violet
Bloom Time
Summer (June–August)
Foliage Color
Dark green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Other
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Pursh
- Publication
- Fl. Amer. Sept. 2: 738 (1813)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus
- Penstemon
Inferior Taxa
Penstemon glaber var. brandegeei Penstemon glaber var. glaber Penstemon glaber var. alpinus