Blackbeard Beardtongue

The Blackbeard Beardtongue, or Blackbeard Penstemon, adds height and unexpected color to a landscape. Purple, tubular flowers with white centers emerge from tall, upright stems. The stems and lance-shaped basal foliage are dark purple to burgundy and provide an interesting contrast to the delicate flowers. The flowers bloom in the summer, while the dark foliage provides visual interest from spring through fall. Beardtongue is native to the U.S., so it acclimates quickly and does well with minimal care. The Blackbeard Beardtongue stands several feet tall and adds height to a mixed bed or container. It also makes an excellent border or can conceal a utility box or external HVAC unit. Cut some stems when the plant blooms to create a lovely arrangement. Beardtongue plants are drought and heat tolerant, so they continue to look great in intense summer weather or if you forget to water for a week or so. This plant is deer resistant and attracts pollinators to its tubular flowers. Grow this Beardtongue in zones 3 through 9. Blackbeard Beardtongue Care The Blackbeard Beardtongue craves full sun and prefers well-drained soil. Established plants are drought tolerant, but perform best with one inch of water each week. Container-grown plants may need water more often. The Blackbeard Beardtongue is not a heavy feeder, but benefits from a balanced fertilizer each spring to give it a strong start to the growing season. Remove faded flowers to extend the bloom cycle. After the first frost, trim all growth to the ground level, and new growth will emerge in the spring. Blackbeard Beardtongue Spacing The upright growth habit of the Blackbeard Beardtongue will reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Plants spread 1 to 2 feet wide. Leave 1 to 2 feet between plants to create a dense planting or grow one plant in an 18-inch container.Blackbeard Beardtongue Information