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Reveal, James L.

Penstemon grandiflorus

Penstemon grandiflorus Nutt.

Large Penstemon, Large Beardtongue, Large-flower Penstemon, Large-flower Beardtongue, Large-flowered Penstemon, Large-flowered Beardtongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s): Penstemon bradburii

USDA Symbol: PEGR7

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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, 2-4 ft. tall, bear opposite, blue-green, waxy leaves and pinkish blue to 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

15 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall, occasionally taller.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Lavender to blue or pinkish blue, with magenta nectar guides.

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

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Sandy soils.

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 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 Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2023-02-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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