Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

American Beauties®

Native Foxglove Beardtongue Attracts Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Pollinators with Towering White Flower Spires.
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 3-5 ft Tall, 1-2 ft Wide
Showy White Blooms From Early Spring to Late Spring
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds

$39⁵⁶

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Foxglove Beardtongue requires full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sun daily, for the most robust stems and plentiful blooms. While partial shade is acceptable, be aware this will result in slightly leggier stems and a reduced intensity of flower production.
Soil: The key to success is well-draining, average soil, as this native plant hates saturated roots, especially over winter. If you are dealing with heavy clay, incorporate generous amounts of coarse sand and compost to drastically improve drainage before planting.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, give your new plant a good soak two or three times a week to encourage a deep, resilient root system. Once the plant is established, it becomes wonderfully drought-tolerant and rarely needs supplemental water unless you experience a prolonged, severe dry spell. Inconsistent watering during bloom time will not kill the plant, but it will certainly lead to smaller, stressed blooms and less impressive flowering spikes.

Pruning Tips

This perennial blooms reliably on new wood, so the time to prune is late winter or early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge. Cut the entire plant back to a few inches above the soil crown to remove the old, woody stems. This technique clears away winter debris and allows the new foliage to emerge cleanly, promoting a vigorous, full clump for the season ahead.

Fertilizer Needs

Foxglove Beardtongue is a tough plant that performs best in lean soil, so often no fertilizer is needed at all. If you suspect your soil is truly depleted, apply a light application of a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new shoots appear. What to Avoid: Never feed your plant high-nitrogen fertilizer late in the season, as this will push soft, tender new growth that will be highly vulnerable to rot and frost damage during the winter.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Clay Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	3-5 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Penstemon digitalis
Species	digitalis
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Many homeowners prefer to use native plants where they can, and we're so excited to offer Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) available for your home garden! This is a lovely and elegant perennial that delivers quite a show from late spring through mid-summer!

You'll be rewarded for your dedication by a wonderful show of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators dancing along the long, airy spires of charming white flowers. This is an easy and beautiful way to make a real positive impact on your local ecology! The tubular-shaped blooms are also of considerable interest to hummingbirds!

So many of our native plants have a rough texture, but not this gem. From its long, smooth leaves to the delicate flowers, this plant begs for a special place in your garden. After all, you'll want to be able to study it! Of the hundreds of native species of Beardtongue, all but one are found right here in USDA growing zones 3 through 8! So you just know these plants are hardy and adaptable! It grows at the edge of the forest, so it can handle some light shade, but you'll see fewer blooms.

Planting and Application:

This native form is a larval Host Plant for many types of butterflies and moths, so include them in a Wildflower garden, add height to a Prairie, or naturalized Meadow garden! Perfect vertical structure and lacy blooms for a well-drained spot in your garden, Perennial border, and as a focal point to a Cottage garden. Gorgeous blooms, you'll gain delicate, tall flowering stems for your bouquets indoors!

Beardtongues are water-wise plants, so could be considered for dry parts of your landscape, Rock Gardens, and that hell strip between the road and sidewalk, and mailbox plantings. Cold-hardy perennials that are drought-tolerant once established, making Penstemon perfect for Fire-wise landscaping and Rock gardens.

How about placing a Penstemon at the start of a path? Planted in a massed display, they will create a softly upright, vertical accent! This is an energetic plant that would be a nice dance partner planted behind a cute, tough Groundcover Rose.

Pink-Tinged White Tubular Blooms
Upright Mounding Herbaceous Perennial
Pretty & Graceful Hardy Native Selections
Very Easy-Care
Brings Bees, Butterflies & Hummingbirds
Specimen, Rock Gardens, Borders & Prairie Plants

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Penstemon flowers best in full sun and in well-drained soil conditions, preferring average soil types on the lean side. Provide regular moisture access throughout their first year, but once these herbaceous perennials are established, they are blissfully drought-tolerant and xeric! Provide a 3-4 inch thick layer of Mulch around their crowns.

These are very cold-tolerant; you can leave these seed heads as winter interest and attract songbirds, or deadhead them to tidy up the mounds in fall. Trim all foliage down in late fall after frost, and divide every few years to maintain the vigor of the crown, and you get a second plant out of the deal!

Blooms Best in Full Sun
Adaptable - Average to Low Moisture Needs
Any Very Well-Drained Soil
Drought-Tolerant Once Established
Deer & Rabbit-Resistant

Order this graceful native butterfly magnet today! Hardiness and grace go hand in hand with the lovely Foxglove Beardtongue at NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the soil requirements for planting Foxglove Beardtongue?

Foxglove Beardtongue thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates poor, rocky conditions once established. This drought-tolerant native adapts to various soil types but struggles in waterlogged areas. Plant in zones 3-8 with good drainage for best results.

How much water does Foxglove Beardtongue require after establishment?

Foxglove Beardtongue is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal watering. This water-wise native thrives in dry conditions and rock gardens. Water deeply during establishment, then rely on natural rainfall for this hardy perennial available at naturehills.com.

How do I care for Foxglove Beardtongue in the first year?

Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish the root system. Once established, Foxglove Beardtongue becomes drought-tolerant and requires minimal care. Plant in well-drained soil with full sun for best blooms, though it tolerates light shade.

Does Foxglove Beardtongue require fertilizer or maintenance pruning?

Foxglove Beardtongue is remarkably low-maintenance and typically doesn't need fertilizer in average garden soil. As a drought-tolerant native, it actually performs better in lean soils without supplemental feeding. Simply deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers through mid-summer.

Will Foxglove Beardtongue self-seed or spread in my garden?

Foxglove Beardtongue readily self-seeds and will naturalize in suitable conditions, making it perfect for wildflower and meadow gardens. This native perennial spreads moderately through underground rhizomes and dropped seeds. Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want natural spread, or deadhead to control it. Find quality plants at naturehills.com.

Is Foxglove Beardtongue deer or rabbit resistant?

Foxglove Beardtongue is generally deer and rabbit resistant due to its naturally bitter taste and texture that wildlife typically avoid. This hardy perennial thrives in zones 3-8 and works well in exposed areas like mailbox plantings where deer pressure is common. Plant it confidently in your garden borders and cottage gardens.

Is Foxglove Beardtongue toxic to pets or children?

Foxglove Beardtongue is generally considered non-toxic to pets and children, unlike true foxgloves which are highly poisonous. This native Penstemon is much safer for family gardens. Always supervise young children around any plants and consult your vet if pets consume large quantities.

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis