Smooth Beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)

from $3.50

Smooth Penstemon attracts a variety of native bees, hummingbirds, and Sphinx moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Baltimore Checkerspot, the Common Buckeye, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Saunder’s Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Smooth Penstemon is considered threatened in Michigan, just another reason to plant an already awesome plant (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). I just love penstemons and watching the bumblebees wiggle into them and this one can handle a little more shade than the others.

Size:

Smooth Penstemon attracts a variety of native bees, hummingbirds, and Sphinx moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Baltimore Checkerspot, the Common Buckeye, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Saunder’s Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Smooth Penstemon is considered threatened in Michigan, just another reason to plant an already awesome plant (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). I just love penstemons and watching the bumblebees wiggle into them and this one can handle a little more shade than the others.

Life Cycle: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial, Shade

Soil Moisture: Medium-wet, Medium

Height: 1-3 feet

Plant Spacing: 1-2 feet

Bloom Time: June-July

Bloom Color: Pinkish

Advantages: Bird Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Deer Resistant

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

Species of Concern: State Status: Threatened (legally protected) State Rank: Imperiled (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)

Specialist Bee: Possibly Mason Bee (Osmia distinct) (Holm, 2017)

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

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

You Might Also Like