Penstemons (Penstemon genus, also called beardtongue) send up elegant stalks covered in a runway of tubular flowers. Pollinators love to jump inside the flower cups, and you will often see cute bee butts wiggling while they go headfirst into the blooms.
There are over 250 species of penstemon native to North America, making this the largest genus of flowering plants found only on this continent. They bloom in every color from snow white to electric blue to screaming red. Most are drought-friendly, deer-resistant, and happy in lean soil, meaning they actually prefer it when you do less for them. No matter where you live in North America, there is a penstemon for you.
Look out for tiny, wiggling, happy bee butts!
We’re going to introduce you to several native options in a few scrolls. First, let’s talk about what makes this group of flowers specil.
Why penstemons matter
Penstemons are pollinator magnets.
According to the Xerces Society, penstemon is “a prolific nectar maker, visited by a huge diversity of butterflies, moths, and bees.” The tubular flowers are built for native bees: bumblebees, sweat bees, leafcutter bees, and mason bees all visit. Watch closely and you will see them disappear headfirst into the blooms, wiggling to reach the nectar at the base. The hairy staminode (the “beard” in beardtongue) forces bees deeper into the flower, making sure they pick up plenty of pollen on their way through.
Penstemons are hummingbird faves.
About 20% of penstemon species have evolved specifically for hummingbird pollination. These tend to be the red- and scarlet-flowered species, like scarlet bugler (P. barbatus). Their flowers are narrower, tubular, and packed with nectar. A 2023 study in PLOS Biology found that the dramatic shift from bee pollination to hummingbird pollination has happened independently in at least 20 separate penstemon lineages, a striking example of evolution finding the same solution again and again.
Penstemons are also host plants.
The common buckeye butterfly lays its eggs on penstemon leaves, and the caterpillars feed on them as they grow. Several native moth species use penstemons the same way. For birds, the seed heads that develop after flowering feed songbirds into fall and winter.
What is a host plant?
A host plant is an insect’s nursery plant. It’s where butterflies and moths lay eggs and what the caterpillars eat as they grow.
There are hundreds of penstemons to admire
Penstemons are perennials known for their tubular flowers, attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. With around 282 species, these hardy plants can be found across various habitats, from deserts to mountain meadows. No matter where you live in North America, there is a penstemon for you.
There is even a society devoted to penstemons
Want to meet some penstemon experts, or explore this huge plant family with devotees? Head over to the American Penstemon Society, which has lots of info and events devoted to… penstemons! (Its penstemon database is a great resource.)
This plant also goes by another name…
It’s sometimes called “beardtongue.”
As you explore penstemons, you might hear this plant referred to as “beardtongue.” And then you are going to ask:
Why is it called beardtongue?
Some species of penstemons also go by the common name beardtongue. This name comes from tiny, delicate hairs on the flower’s stamen. To see this “hairy tongue,” you might need to get out a magnifying glass or use the zoom on your phone.
Common names are the names that early European colonists gave to the plants they encountered in North America. Why early Americans decided to focus on a tiny detail and not its gorgeous runway of flowers is a mystery. To make sure you’re looking at the right plant, the singular Latin name helps—look for the name Penstemon on the plant label. (And no, you don’t need to learn Latin to get into gardening!)
Guess what? This is just one awful common name. Read our guide to beautiful native plants with terrible names for some other naming fails.
When do penstemons bloom?
Penstemon bloom time depends on the species and your location. According to the American Penstemon Society, “Most species bloom during March and April in the southwest United States, May and June in the mid-latitudes, June in the northern states, July in Canada, and August and September in Mexico.”
Meet some native penstemon species
As mentioned earlier, there are hundreds of native penstemons that call North America home. This means there is a species for almost every area in America and Canada. Some species to consider adding to your garden include:
Native penstemons for the east coast, midwest, and south
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
This plant also goes by the common names white penstemon, Appalachian beardtongue, Mississippi penstemon, hairy beardtongue, and foxglove beardtongue. (Check the label for Penstemon digitalis to be sure you’ve got the right plant.) This plant’s huge native range goes from Maine to Florida, and west to Texas. Half of the USA can plant this flower!
This is a medium-sized plant: 2-5′ when in bloom with white flowers. Plant 5+ for a showstopper moment. Hairy beardtongue is also the host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly.
Native penstemons for the midwest + south
Shell-Leaf Penstemon
Penstemon grandiflorus
This plant is also sometimes called “Large Penstemon,” thanks to its larger blooms and 4′ height. Enjoy its large 2″ purple-blue flowers, and plant 5+ for maximum impact. It will self-seed in gardens, so planting a few will ensure a larger patch as the years go by. Loves full sun to part shade, and blooms for a month in the late spring. Native from Wyoming to Texas, and east to Wisconsin and Oklahoma.
Native penstemons for the northwest
Bush Penstemon
Penstemon fruticosus
For the other side of North America, consider bush penstemon, which is a shorter option (6-18″). Use it as a groundcover or for xeriscape landscaping. Bush penstemon likes full sun and its greenery is evergreen. Native from British Columbia to Wyoming.
Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
The flowers on foothill penstemon are described as “iridescent” in The Xerces Society’s Gardening for Butterflies. Foothill penstemons are also sometimes called bunchleaf penstemons. They are beloved by all pollinators—including hummingbirds.
Wasatch Beardtongue
Penstemon cyananthus
Wow, this native plant can thrive in some dry, and tough conditions. Wasatch beardtongue has a native range in the Northwestern United States, including Idaho, Utah, and the Dakotas.
Build It, Grow It has a helpful overview video of Foxglove Beardtongue, which includes helpful landscaping inspiration:
What are good pairings for penstemons?
There are SO MANY native plants that are stellar pairings for penstemon flowers. A good rule of thumb is to pick partners that flower at different times, so your garden looks great throughout the growing season and pollinators always have a snack. Find your region and explore options for native flowers, shrubs, and trees:
Feeling a little overwhelmed picking native plants?
Gardening should be fun and not feel like a botany exam. If you’re feeling overwhelmed as you plan your native garden, check out our inspiration guides. They are all written to help get you gardening (and not worrying.)
To make garden planning easy: Three-Color Native Gardens and Single-Plant Native Gardens are great resources.
Or, if you’re looking to focus on a specific butterfly or bird (or keep deer away!), visit Best Native Plants for Birds, Best Native Plants for Butterflies, and Deer-Resistant Native Plants.
Remember: native plants plant themselves. If they can do it, so can we.
And to sum it all up—penstemon is a huge plant family that includes options for everyone in North America. They are great alternatives to non-native snapdragons or petunias. Because penstemons are perennials, plant once and they will return year after year. Their wide range of sunlight makes them a perfect choice for beginner gardeners. And don’t forget to plant other plants that hummingbirds like, if you’re into that sort of magical thing.
Where to next? How about meeting North America’s native magnolias or dogwoods? Happy planting!
Sources
- American Penstemon Society.
- Colorado State University Extension. “Growing Penstemons.” https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/growing-penstemons-7-428/. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- Harstad, Carolyn. Go Native! Gardening with Native Plants and Wildflowers in the Lower Midwest. (1999), 209–210.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. “Penstemon barbatus (Scarlet Bugler).” University of Texas at Austin. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=peba2. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. “Penstemon grandiflorus (Shell-leaf Penstemon).” University of Texas at Austin. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEGR7. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- Missouri Botanical Garden. “Penstemon cobaea.” Plant Finder. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k110. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- Nelson, Gil. Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens: A Handbook for Gardeners, Homeowners, and Professionals, (2010).
- North Carolina State Extension. “Penstemon.” NC State University. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/penstemon/. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- North Carolina State Extension. “Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue).” NC State University. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/penstemon-digitalis/. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- Pyle, Robert Michael. Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects. (2016), 119.
- Taylor, Patricia A. Easy Care Native Plants: A Guide to Selecting and Using Beautiful American Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees in Gardens and Landscapes. (1996), 174–175, 266–267.
- Thomson, James D., et al. “Pollen Presentation and Pollination Syndromes, with Special Reference to Penstemon.” Plant Species Biology 15, no. 1 (2000): 11–29. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-1984.2000.00026.x. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- USDA PLANTS Database. “Penstemon.” https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile?symbol=PENST. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- USDA PLANTS Database. “Penstemon fruticosus (Bush Penstemon).” https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PEFR3. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- USDA PLANTS Database. “Penstemon cyananthus (Wasatch Penstemon).” https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PECY2. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- Wessinger, Carolyn A., et al. “A Few Essential Genetic Loci Distinguish Penstemon Species with Flowers Adapted to Pollination by Bees or Hummingbirds.” PLOS Biology 21, no. 9 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002294. Accessed March 31, 2026.
- Xerces Society. “Plants for Pollinators: Beardtongue.” https://xerces.org/blog/plants-for-pollinators-beardtongue. Accessed March 31, 2026.
