Source: Donna Bos
Penstemon hirsutus
Hairy Beardtongue
Penstémon hirsute
Obsolete Names
northeastern beardtongue
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Dry
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Purple
Bloom period: May - Jun
Max Height: 18.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Tolerates foot traffic
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates foot traffic
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates foot traffic
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Penstemon hirsutus
- Euphydryas phaeton (Baltimore Checkerspot)
Specialized Bees Supported by Penstemon hirsutus
No bee data available for this plant.
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- Antennaria neglecta
Field Pussytoes
Antennaire négligée - Erigeron philadelphicus
Philadelphia Fleabane
Vergerette de Philadelphie - Geum triflorum
Prairie Smoke
Benoîte à trois fleurs - Glyceria canadensis
Canada Mannagrass
Glycérie du Canada - Packera paupercula
Balsam Groundsel
Séneçon appauvri
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 Sowing Label (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, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- At least one 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.