Scientific Name:
Penstemon digitalis
Pronunciation:
pen-STEE-mun didge-ih-TAY-liss
Common Name:
smooth beard tongue
Family Name:
Plantaginaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Floppy herbaceous perennial; basal leaves ovate and resemble spinach; opposite leaves on floral stalk sessile and dentate; florets white, on a tall panicle-like thyrse.
Habit:
Spreading, Upright
Form:
Mounded, Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
U.S. - northeast
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Group or mass planting, Perennial border, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include P. 'Husker Red'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite, Sessile
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Purple, Bronze
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green, Purple
Shapes:
Oblanceolate, Oblong, Spatulate
Apices:
Acuminate, Acute
Bases:
Attenuate, Decurrent
Margins:
Entire, Serrulate, Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour, Basal leaves stalked spatulate with attenuate bases
Inflorescence Type:
Thyrse, Floriferous, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Pink
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct, Nov
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Rust, Slugs or snails (Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- HORT 2355
Location(s):
- (AGB) Acer Griseum Bed
- (BUG) BUG garden : cv. Husker Red
- (PDW) PonD West : cv. Husker Red