Image of Penstemon gracilis
Source: Donna Bos
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image of Flowering plant
Penstemon gracilis
Slender Beardtongue
Penstémon grêle

Synonyms

lilac beardtongue
lilac penstemon
lilac-flowered beardtongue
slender penstemon
No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom Colour: Purple Bloom Period: May - Jul
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Foot Traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic around the plant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Penstemon gracilis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Montane Cordillera
  • Prairies

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Penstemon gracilis

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Penstemon gracilis

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove)
  • Lamium (Dead nettle)
  • Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Delphinium (Delphinium)
  • Salvia (Non-Native Sage)
  • Aquilegia (Columbine Cultivars)
  • Lamium galeobdolon (Yellow Archangel)
  • Baptisia (False Indigo)
  • Impatiens balsamina (Impatiens Balsamina)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Sow late fall or early spring.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are brown and crisp and starting to open
    • Seeds are dark and tiny stem attaching to the main stem is brown
    • Seeds easily fall off pod when shaken
    • Little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting:
    • Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found but might be toxic.