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Native Plant Database

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Penstemon grandiflorus (Large beardtongue)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Penstemon grandiflorus Nutt.

Large beardtongue, Large-flower beardtongue, Large-flowered penstemon

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonyms: Penstemon bradburii

USDA Symbol: PEGR7

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Large, lavender, horizontally arranged, tubular flowers on a smooth stem above opposite, blue-green, clasping leaves and in axils of similar leafy bracts. This perennial’s stout, unbranched stems, 2-3 ft. tall, bear opposite, blue-green, waxy leaves and pink to bluish-lavender, tubular flowers. The large flowers extend horizontally on short stalks from the axils of leafy bracts near top of stem.

This handsome plant is especially spectacular when growing in masses. It occasionally escapes from cultivation in the East. At least 15 species of Penstemon occur in eastern North America, and there are many more in the West.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CO , CT , IA , IL , IN , KS , MA , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , OH , OK , SD , TX , WI , WY
Native Distribution: IL to ND & s.e. MT, s. to c. TX
Native Habitat: Dry prairies
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Penstemon grandiflorus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Penstemon grandiflorus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon grandiflorus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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