Toxic Plant Inconnu - Inadequate information on toxicity found but might be toxic.
Image of Penstemon hirsutus
Source: Donna Bos

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Penstemon hirsutus
Hairy Beardtongue
Penstémon hirsute

Synonyms

northeastern beardtongue

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Violet Bloom Period: May - Jun
Hauteur max: 2,0 feet
Max Width: 1,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Facile à germer
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Hairy Beardtongue has upright, often reddish stems covered with fine hairs and narrow foliage. Tubular pale lavender, pinkish, or purple flowers appear in late spring and early summer. It naturally grows in dry woods and open slopes. It prefers well-drained soil. Its relatively compact size makes it particularly suitable for home gardens. It tolerates drought once established. It does not like wet or poorly drained soil. it is usually well behaved and does not spread aggressively. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it could result in floppy growth.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Penstemon hirsutus
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Penstemon hirsutus

Specialized Bees Supported by Penstemon hirsutus

No bee data available for this plant.

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 by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • 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:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found but might be toxic.