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Eastern Smooth Beardtongue

Penstemon laevigatus

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium to Medium-Dry
Bloom time
May–Jul
Bloom color
Purple

About Eastern Smooth Beardtongue

Eastern Smooth Beardtongue, also known as Appalachian Beardtongue, is a sophisticated addition to any meadow or border, offering a stunning gradient of color from late spring into early summer. Its trumpet-like blossoms feature a beautiful shift from creamy white to baby pink and deep purple, complete with distinct nectar guides that lead pollinators directly to their reward. Standing 2 to 3 feet tall on burgundy-tinted stems, the plant boasts glossy, bright green foliage that often turns a rich reddish-purple in the fall. Native to low meadows, forest edges, and bottomlands in the Southeastern United States, this species is incredibly adaptable, performing well in full sun to partial shade and a wide variety of soil types. It is a magnet for hummingbirds and long-tongued bees, yet its deer-resistant nature makes it a practical choice for rural landscapes. To grow from seed, provide 60 days of cold stratification to mimic its natural winter cycle, ensuring a vibrant display of these 'apple blossom' colored flowers in your own garden.

Native range

Native to 20 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMississippiNorth CarolinaNew JerseyOhioPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeVirginiaWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Penstemon laevigatus

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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