Penstemon australis

Common Names

Southern Beardtongue, Eustis Lake Beardtongue

Summary

Penstemon australis is a native perennial in the Plantaginaceae family that occurs in the coastal plains of the southern Atlantic and eastern Gulf regions, with populations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It forms a basal rosette of smooth leaves from which upright flowering stems rise. Flowers are tubular and two-lipped, about 1 inch long, with outer pink to rose-purple petals and white inner surfaces with dark purple lines; a non-functional staminode protrudes from the corolla, giving a beardtongue appearance. Plants reach about 1–3 feet in height and bloom from May through July, offering showy appeal to the landscape. Prefers dry, sandy, well-drained soils with full sun to partial shade, and is heat and drought tolerant. Suitable for native pollinator gardens, rock gardens, and coastal or dry landscape plantings; growth can be seeded, with seed-based propagation and occasional availability as plants or seed from native nurseries; hardy to USDA zones 8A–9B. The plant attracts pollinators, including specialized bees such as Osmia distincta, and hummingbirds, making it a wildlife-friendly addition to sunny, sandy locations.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-36 inches

Spread

12-15 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun; tolerates partial sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Dry, sandy, well-drained, low-nutrient soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, sandy soils.

Bloom Color

Pink to purple (often pink to rose-purple), with some blooms white or white with dark purple lines, and white to pinkish or light lavender.

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer (May to July)

Foliage Color

Green

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seed

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators