Husker Red Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red')
|
|||||
Deciduous Perennial in the Plantaginaceae Family | |||||
Buy Husker Red Beardtongue | |||||
|
|||||
Teaser | A striking, sturdy mound of foliage that transitions from garnet-red in spring to vibrant green in summer, topped by trumpet-shaped white flowers with a purple blush that attract pollinators. | ||||
Penstemon digitalis, commonly known as Foxglove Beardtongue, is a captivating native perennial that enchants gardens with its showy, foxglove-like flowers and tidy, upright growth habit. This reliable Penstemon species is a true delight for both gardeners and pollinators alike. Foxglove Beardtongue produces dense clumps of smooth, green foliage that form an attractive basal rosette. In late spring and early summer, the plant erupts with abundant clusters of white to pale pink, tubular blooms along tall, elegant stems. These nectar-rich flowers, reminiscent of their foxglove cousins, are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding vibrant movement and energy to the garden. Reaching 1-2 feet in height, Penstemon digitalis thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, average to dry soil. Once established, it becomes quite drought-tolerant, making it a resilient addition to perennial borders, meadows, and naturalized areas. The tidy, vertical habit of Foxglove Beardtongue also allows it to blend seamlessly into cottage-style and modern garden designs. With its reliable performance, pollinator appeal, and eye-catching floral display, Penstemon digitalis is a welcome presence in any garden seeking season-long color and a dynamic infusion of life. This native perennial is sure to delight gardeners throughout its native range in eastern and central North America with its foxglove-inspired blooms and sturdy, upright form. |
|||||
Plant Data | |||||
Mature Size | 24 - 36 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide. | ||||
Sun Exposure | Partial Shade - Full Sun | ||||
Moisture Tolerance | Medium | ||||
Zones | 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F) | ||||
Tags | Attracts Hummingbirds, Deciduous, Full Sun, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Nativar, Non-Allergenic, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant | ||||
Bloom Period | June - July | ||||
Flower Color | White with purple blush
|
||||
Foliage Color | Red | ||||
Awards |
|||||
Related Articles |
|||||
|
|||||
More Info from Experts |
|||||
Photos of This with...Red Beauty Yarrow, Artemisia Silver Mound, Japanese painted fern, Autumn Blush Tickseed, |
|||||
| |
Want More
photos of this plant? Try
Google Image Search!
|
|
Pricing and Availability HistoryClick a label to toggle visibility for that size
|
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:
Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
The next order is coming up soon. Here's a link to our ordering calendar. Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!