Intro: Erect perennial found in woodlands, glades, forest edges, rocky woodlands and along roadsides.
Stems: Stems 1-several but not branched above base, covered with spreading hairs.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, elliptic-oblong to narrowly triangular (basal leaves broader), to 5 1/2 in. long, toothed, hairy.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in a moderately compact terminal panicle, with glandular-hairy branches angled upward; pinkish-lavender; 1/2-1 1/4 in. long; bilaterally symmetric; the corolla tubular with 2 lips, the upper one 2-lobed and slightly shorter than the lower, which is 3 lobed. Corolla throat white with purple lines inside and a barely protruding yellow-bearded tongue.
Fruits:
Comments: Identification of Penstemon species is difficult due to variations in flower characters such as color, patterning, relative length of parts and degree of constriction/dilation of the corolla tube.
Height: 1-2 1/2 ft.
plant sale text: Eastern Gray Beardtongue has numerous tubular flowers, typically white with a tinge of pink, held on wiry upright stems above basal foliage. This southeastern native perennial is sometimes seen on roadsides, primarily in the coastal plain and piedmont. Good drainage is essential. As with other species of Penstemon, light self- sowing may occur as a welcome Bonus.
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial found in woodlands, glades, forest edges, rocky woodlands and along roadsides.
stems: Stems 1-several but not branched above base, covered with spreading hairs.
leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, elliptic-oblong to narrowly triangular (basal leaves broader), to 5 1/2 in. long, toothed, hairy.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in a moderately compact terminal panicle, with glandular-hairy branches angled upward; pinkish-lavender; 1/2-1 1/4 in. long; bilaterally symmetric; the corolla tubular with 2 lips, the upper one 2-lobed and slightly shorter than the lower, which is 3 lobed. Corolla throat white with purple lines inside and a barely protruding yellow-bearded tongue.
fruits:
comments: Identification of Penstemon species is difficult due to variations in flower characters such as color, patterning, relative length of parts and degree of constriction/dilation of the corolla tube.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States