Penstemon smallii - Beardtongue
Penstemon smallii - Beardtongue
Penstemon smallii - Beardtongue
Penstemon smallii - Beardtongue
Penstemon smallii - Beardtongue
Penstemon smallii
Chelone, Galane, Penstemon
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Available in 1 sizes
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Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
The Penstemon smallii is a perennial beardtongue that should appeal to lovers of natural, flowing gardens. This North American species combines a commendable tolerance for moisture, a charming two-tone pink flowering, and a friendly tendency to self-seed randomly in the garden in slightly cool areas. Its generous summer flowering is carried by a bushy plant whose foliage beautifully takes on chocolate to purple tones at the end of the season. This lovely plant tolerates ordinary, well-drained, preferably acidic soil and easily survives our winters.
The penstemon smallii belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae, just like foxgloves and snapdragons. It is a botanical species native to the mountainous regions of the southeastern United States. It is a bushy herbaceous perennial plant whose above-ground vegetation almost completely dries up in winter, except for the basal rosette of leaves that persists. This penstemon forms a beautiful tuft of about 55 cm (22in) in all directions, composed of branched stems adorned with dark green lanceolate foliage, which tinges more or less with brown to purple during the season, just like the stems. Its growth is relatively rapid. The flowering extends from July to early September, lasting about five weeks and developing in the terminal part of the leafy stems. The bicoloured flowers, of a good size, with long bell-shaped campanulate corollas, slightly hairy, are gathered in somewhat loose clusters. They display a wine-coloured pink on the outside, with the interior of the corolla equipped with long bristles, a very pale pink streaked with purple. After pollination by pollinating insects, fruits containing fine seeds are formed, which spontaneously self-sow in favourable areas.
The penstemon smallii is used in beds or borders, in a sunny or shaded position in the afternoon in hot climates, and among perennials such as bellflowers and columbines, Carex, or even foxgloves. Its pairing with pink or purple Dahlias is also very successful. Penstemons also make perfect-cut flowers.
Penstemon smallii - Beardtongue in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Penstemon
smallii
Scrophulariaceae (Plantaginaceae)
Chelone, Galane, Penstemon
North America
Planting and care
Penstemon smalli is a hardy plant that grows best in soil that is well-drained. It prefers light, slightly acidic, and rich soil that remains moist throughout the summer. The soil quality is crucial for the successful growth of Penstemon smalli. It requires fresh and rich soil that is not too clayey, as it becomes waterlogged during winter. Excessively moist soils can cause the stumps of Penstemon smalli to rot quickly.
In cool climates, place the plant in a warm, sunny location that is sheltered from cold winds. A south or west-facing location is ideal. In hot climates, choose a shaded location that is cool in the afternoon. Penstemon smalli is not vulnerable to any specific diseases and requires only minimal maintenance. In autumn, remove the faded flowers, and slightly shorten the deflowered stems without cutting them to the ground. This is particularly important in humid areas where the foliage plays a vital role in moisture regulation. Wait until spring is well established (March-April) to shorten the branches whose foliage has been damaged by the cold. If summer is dry, water regularly to support flowering.
In colder regions, covering the base with straw or a cold frame is recommended to protect it from severe cold. To rejuvenate the plant, divide your penstemons every three or four years, but do this only in the spring.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.