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Smith, R.W.
Penstemon tenuis
Penstemon tenuis Small
Brazos Penstemon, Brazos Beardtongue, Gulf Penstemon, Gulf Beardtongue, Gulf Coast Penstemon, Gulf Coast Beardtongue, Sharp-sepal Penstemon, Sharp-sepal Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: pete3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Purplish blooms adorn the flower spikes of Penstemon tenuis like little bells. This species makes a fabulous cut flower. Native to coastal and riverine environments in southeastern North America from southeastern Texas to Mississippi and north to Arkansas, it grows well in moist perennial beds and borders, where it has the potential to reseed freely. It is good to plant in combination with Yellow columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha), which, though native to streamside environments in southwestern North America, has similar requirements and bloom period.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Purple , VioletBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Purple to lavender to violet, sometimes with faint reddish purple nectar guides.
Distribution
USA: AR , LA , MS , TXNative Habitat: Gulf Coast prairies and marshes. Moist sand, loam, clay. Poor drainage okay.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Clay, Clay Loam, Medium Loam, Sandy Loam, Sandy.
Conditions Comments: Tiny purple blooms adorn Gulf Coast Penstemon's flower spikes like little bells. This species makes a fabulous cut flower. Grows well in moist perennial beds and borders. Has the potential to reseed freely. It is a good to plant in combination with yellow columbine, which has the same requirements and bloom period.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Showy, Blooms ornamental, Color, Long-blooming, Garden, Perennial gardenUse Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-insects, Nectar-butterflies
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsSeed Collection: Collect seed in summer.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
NPSOT - Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
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 tenuis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon tenuis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon tenuis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff