Large Beardtongue (Penstemon)

Large beardtongue is a native prairie perennial with broad, horizontally arranged tubular pink to purple flowers on smooth stems. It suits sunny, dry prairie plantings with sandy soil, where spring blooms provide special value to native bees and bumble bees. ## Identification The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center records Penstemon grandiflorus across much of the central United States, from the northern Plains south to central Texas. It describes the plant as a perennial herb, usually up to about four feet tall and occasionally taller, with pink or purple flowers in May and June. ## Growing conditions Choose a sunny site with sandy, well-drained soil. Its dry-prairie habitat makes it a useful choice for native plantings and naturalistic grassland gardens. The source does not give a USDA hardiness range, so this profile leaves hardiness zones unspecified. ## Pollinators and propagation The Wildflower Center notes special value to native and bumble bees. Seed propagation is possible; cold-moist stratification improves germination. ## Sources [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center plant profile](https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=pegr7). ## Maintenance Keep the planting site sunny and well drained. Avoid persistently wet soil, and allow the plant to mature naturally in open prairie-style settings. If starting from seed, provide cold-moist stratification before sowing.