Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants
A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants
Hairy Beardtongue
Hairy BeardtonguePenstemon hirsutusFull to part sun, moderately wet to dry moisture level, prefers sandy soil but adaptable to most soils including clay. 16-24 inches height, blooms late spring to early summer, purple/pink flowers.Germination Code: C(60), DNative Region: Limited to northern half of the Interior Low Plateaus (Highland Rim and Interior Basin provinces) and to Meigs County in Ridge and Valley ProvinceElegant lavender and white blooms on a plant with high drought resistance. Easy to grow. Can distinguish from other penstemons by the downy stem. Well-drained soil is essential. Excessive soil richness may result in plant die-off.flower;sun;wet;clay |
 Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/ |
Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants 
I added this species to a seed mix that I put down in fall 2016. They are blooming this spring and I am so glad I used this plant. They are smaller and more delicate in appearance but so easy to grow and just charming planted in large drifts. Most of mine are white and only a few are purple. I highly recommend Hairy Beardtongue. It is also well named because the fuzzy leaves and stems are very obvious. I hope it hangs around for a long time, and you don’t have to worry about it crowding out other plants. Often plants that are super easy to grow are also very aggressive but this one isn’t.