| Penstemmon canescens | | | | Since beardtongue is a woodland flower, it will do |
| Family Scrophulariaceae - Snapdragon | | | | best in partial shade to mostly shade in the perennial |
| This particular penstemon is a transplant from the | | | | garden. It seems to bloom more in a sunnier location, |
| wild. In the woodlands of southeastern Indiana this | | | | but the plants will be more short lived. There are |
| wildflower brightens the summer forest with its pink | | | | about 250 varieties of Penstemons in this family. One |
| flowers. Cuttings taken in summer rooted under mist | | | | is of Asiatic origin, the remainder are North American. |
| in the greenhouse resulted in a superb addition to the | | | | The most species are in the western United States. |
| perennial flower garden. | | | | Propagation of penstemon is either from seed or |
| Beardtongue is native from southern Indiana to | | | | cuttings taken in fall or late summer. Seeds from wild |
| Pennsylvania and south. The wildflower guides say | | | | species can be sown and will come true. Hybrids will |
| penstemon occurs mostly in mountains, but it is | | | | not come true from seed. Division of some species |
| present here in the hilly terrain of the southern | | | | can also be done in the spring. |
| portion of the state. In the perennial garden it grows | | | | The penstemon is a native American wildflower |
| a bit taller than in the wild and is much more | | | | which can easily make the transition to the perennial |
| generous in bloom. It will get about three feet tall and | | | | garden. Also called beardtongues, these pretty |
| will bloom from early June until mid July. Sometimes it | | | | wildflowers will brighten the summer shady garden |
| will bloom sporadically after that if deadheaded. | | | | with pink, white, or lavender blossoms. |