Penstemon ovatus

Broad-leaf Beard Tongue

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 11361

Zones: 4a to 8a

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 24" tall

Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade

Origin: Canada, United States

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


Penstemon ovatus is one of those stunning blue-flowered perennials, native to the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia), that has no business growing in the hot, humid southeast US...yet, it has thrived in our trials. Because Penstemon ovatus is native in moist, partly shady, low to mid elevations, it grows in well drained, compost-enhanced soils, and doesn't have a problem with occasional irrigation. For us, it has also thrived in compost-enhanced gravelly soils, where the 2' tall stalks are adorned, starting in early May (NC), with stunning cobalt blue flowers, which like lungwort flowers, age to pink. The flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds, native bees, beetles, ants, moths, and flies. We truly love this and think you will also.