Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

$5.00

Foxglove Beardtongue is one of our showiest native wildflowers. It is visited by a number of native bees and is frequented by newly hatched bumble bees (Xerces.org) and the tubular flowers attract hummingbirds (illinoiswildflower.info). Another added benefit is that it is a host plant to the Common Buckeye, the Baltimore Checkerspot, the threatened Saunders' Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu), and 10 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). On top of that, it is the host plant for the specialist Mason Bee, Osmia distinct (Holm, 2017) and the Xerces Society considers this early bloomer highly attractive to pollinators (Xerces.org). Beardtongues fill a critical role for pollinators by providing pollen and nectar at a time when resources are dwindling at the end of spring. A great plant for any landscape!

Photo credit: John Blair (2-3)

Foxglove Beardtongue is one of our showiest native wildflowers. It is visited by a number of native bees and is frequented by newly hatched bumble bees (Xerces.org) and the tubular flowers attract hummingbirds (illinoiswildflower.info). Another added benefit is that it is a host plant to the Common Buckeye, the Baltimore Checkerspot, the threatened Saunders' Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu), and 10 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). On top of that, it is the host plant for the specialist Mason Bee, Osmia distinct (Holm, 2017) and the Xerces Society considers this early bloomer highly attractive to pollinators (Xerces.org). Beardtongues fill a critical role for pollinators by providing pollen and nectar at a time when resources are dwindling at the end of spring. A great plant for any landscape!

Photo credit: John Blair (2-3)

Life Cycle: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial shade

Soil Moisture: Medium – Medium-dry

Height: 3-4 feet

Plant Spacing: 12-18 inches

Bloom Time: June-July

Bloom Color: White

Advantages: Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant, Great landscaping plant

Host Plant: Common Buckeye, the Baltimore Checkerspot, and 11 more species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)

Specialist Bee: Mason Bee Osmia distincta. Specialist Wasp: Pollen-Collecting Wasp (Holm, 2017)

Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Saunders' Sallow Moth (Sympistis saundersiana) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)

Complementary Plants: June Grass, Butterfly Milkweed, Harebell, Prairie Phlox

Resource: Holm, Heather. Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Pollination Press LLC, 2017

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