This is a native plant, but it is not available in the 2026 Wild Ones plant sale.
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Large-Flowered Beardtongue
Penstemon grandiflorus
PerennialLarge-Flowered Beardtongue
Penstemon grandiflorus
Tap to flip backGrowing Conditions
Light
Full Sun
Water
Dry
Soil
Sandy
Size
2-4'
Bloom
Lavender, May–Jun
Why Grow It
Drought Tolerant
Thrives with little water once established
Rock Garden
Thrives in rocky, well-drained spots
Deer Resistant
Great for gardens without fencing
Self-Seeding
Returns each year from dropped seeds
Did You Know?
It has the largest flowers of any North American Penstemon species, with individual blooms reaching 2 inches long.
The thick, blue-green, clasping leaves have a waxy coating that helps the plant survive in its dry, sandy prairie habitat.
Though short-lived (3-5 years), it readily self-seeds to maintain its presence in the garden, especially in sandy or gravelly soils.
Wildlife Value
🐝
Bumblebees
Crawl inside large lavender flowers for pollen and nectar
🐦
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Attracted to the large tubular flowers in early summer
🦋
Hawkmoths
Long tongues reach nectar in deep tubular flowers
Good Companions
🌾 Little Bluestem
💛 Butterfly Milkweed
💜 Prairie Blazing Star
🌿 Prairie Dropseed
Planting Guide
- Sow seed in fall in sandy or gravelly well-drained soil.
- Full sun required; does not tolerate wet or clay-heavy soils.
- Short-lived perennial; let it self-seed to maintain the colony.
Plant Details
Made with ♥ by Lu Li