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PlantFiles: Lilac Beard Tongue
Penstemon gracilis

 
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Family: Scrophulariaceae (skrof-yoo-larr-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Penstemon (PEN-stem-on) (Info)
Species: gracilis (GRASS-il-is) (Info)

Category:
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials

Height:
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Spacing:
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Danger:
Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Color:
Violet/Lavender
White/Near White

Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer

Foliage:
Evergreen
Smooth-Textured

Other details:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Propagation Methods:
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors

Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds

By Todd_Boland
Thumbnail #1 of Penstemon gracilis by Todd_Boland

By Todd_Boland
Thumbnail #2 of Penstemon gracilis by Todd_Boland

Profile:

No positives
1 neutral
No negatives

Gardeners' Notes:

RatingAuthorComment
Neutral Todd_Boland On Jan 22, 2005, Todd_Boland from St. John's, NL
(Zone 5b) wrote:

I've had this species in my garden for over 10 years...that's long-lived in the penstemon world. Considering this species is native to the prairies, it is thriving in the wet climate of Newfoundland and it is growing in mildly acidic soil, not the alkaline soil that one would expect. The flowers, unfortunately, are small-sized and the palest lilac so it is not one of the showier species but it does well for me and few other penstemon do, so I'll take it.



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