About foxglove beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Perennial Forb
Snapdragon Family
Maryland Distribution: Moist meadows, woodland openings, throughout the state.
Height: typically 3 ft in full bloom, rarely higher
Blooms: bell-shaped white blossoms from late May through June
Sun: full sun to light shade
Soil: Tolerates all soil textures and excels in compact urban soils.
Garden Use & Maintenance: Clumping plant produces spikes of white flowers in late spring. Shiny brown capsules are formed by July and remain through the fall. Fall foliage is a beautiful red, and overwintering basal foliage is semi-evergreen. Ornamental seed pods add winter interest, but should be removed if self-sowing is a concern. Use in meadows, rain gardens, roadsides, and garden beds that are highly visible in winter.
Garden Companions: Pair with Virginia day flower, which blooms at the same time, or gray goldenrod for beautiful red and gold fall colors.
Wildlife/Pollinator Notes: Flowers are visited primarily by small to large bees, and are particularly popular with bumble bees. Occasionally visited by hummingbirds.
Point of Interest: This is not a foxglove (genus Digitalis) at all, but in fact a beardtongue (genus Penstemon) that looks something like a foxglove. The term beardtongue comes from the hairy protrusion inside the lower lip of the flower, an organ which increases the efficiency of flower pollination during bee visits. The lower lip also has purple stripes that guide bees to the nectar reward deep in the flower’s throat.
Foxglove beardtongue, fall color
Winter basal foliage provides habitat for lady beetles (see red spot, upper center)