Growing guide · Perennials

Penstemon

How to grow Beardtongue 'Blackbeard'.

Near-black leaves. Lavender tubes. Hummingbirds.

Light
Full sun, part sun
Water
Low
Zones
3–8
Size
24–30 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide
Spacing
18–24 in. apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $31.99
Upright stems of glossy dark maroon leaves topped with clusters of lavender tubular flowers

Light

Full sun for the darkest color. Part sun works.

Water

Water to establish; drought tolerant after.

Planting and soil

Plant spring or early fall, crown at soil level, in soil that drains.

Feeding

None needed.

Pruning

Leave the seed pods for interest or cut flower stems after bloom. Keep the basal foliage over winter.

Through the year

Dark rosette in spring. Blooms May–June. Burgundy seed heads in summer.

If something's off

Rots in wet winter soil.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Hardy Geranium Rozanne®
GeraniumHardy Geranium Rozanne® from $32.99
Betony 'Hummelo'
Stachys officinalisBetony 'Hummelo' from $30.99
Switch Grass 'Cheyenne Sky'
Panicum virgatumSwitch Grass 'Cheyenne Sky' from $61.99

Why we stock it: Three seasons of dark foliage plus a hummingbird-friendly bloom.

About 12 native butterfly and moth species use Penstemon as a host (Narango et al. 2020). Hummingbirds work the flowers.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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Kits with Beardtongue 'Blackbeard'.

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The Pollinator Buffet Pollinator garden kit The Pollinator Buffet Open seating for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Bee balmConeflowerGoldenrodMouse-ear tickseedTickseedAll 5 native or native varietyZones 4–914 plants · $424.864 × 8 ft bed
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