| Common Name | Penstemon 'Blackbeard' |
| Botanical Name | Penstemon |
| Mature Size | 28" - 34” tall; 15" - 18” wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Well-drained |
| Soil pH | Neutral to acidic |
| Bloom Time | Spring, summer |
| Flower Color | Purple, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, white |
| Care | Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. You can cut the spent flower stems back after blooming to help plants look tidy. Penstemons don’t compete well with other plants, so give them plenty of space in the garden. |
| Soil | The soil for beardtongue must drain very well. These plants are prairie natives and prefer rocky or sandy lean soil types rather than rich garden loam. It’s fine to amend the soil with compost to achieve proper tilth but avoid manure applications. |
| Water | Penstemons tolerate drought, but 1 inch of water per week in the summer will keep plants vigorous and promote better blooming. |
| Temperature and Humidity | Gardeners in USDA growing zones 3 to 9 have the option to try penstemons, although some varieties may only be hardy to zones 4 or 5. It can thrive in a range of humidity conditions. |
| Fertilizer | Feed beardtongue plants once a year with organic fertilizer, applied in the fall. Feeding these flowers with conventional bloom-boosting formulas can promote too much growth and can shorten the life of the plants. |
| Pruning | Beardtongue doesn't need pruning but can benefit from cutting off the spent flowers down to the stem to encourage new blooms. |
| Overwintering | Don't bother to cut away any foliage during the winter, as this can help protect the plant. A thick layer of fallen leaves can provide plenty of additional protection. |
| Source | https://www.thespruce.com/penstemon-care-1316041 |
