Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Blackbeard Beardtongue, or Blackbeard Penstemon, adds height and unexpected color to a landscape. Purple, tubular flowers with white centers emerge from tall, upright stems. The stems and lance-shaped basal foliage are dark purple to burgundy and provide an interesting contrast to the delicate flowers. The flowers bloom in the summer, while the dark foliage provides visual interest from spring through fall.
Beardtongue is native to the U.S., so it acclimates quickly and does well with minimal care. The Blackbeard Beardtongue stands several feet tall and adds height to a mixed bed or container. It also makes an excellent border or can conceal a utility box or external HVAC unit. Cut some stems when the plant blooms to create a lovely arrangement. Beardtongue plants are drought and heat tolerant, so they continue to look great in intense summer weather or if you forget to water for a week or so. This plant is deer resistant and attracts pollinators to its tubular flowers. Grow this Beardtongue in zones 3 through 9.
Blackbeard Beardtongue Care
The Blackbeard Beardtongue craves full sun and prefers well-drained soil. Established plants are drought tolerant, but perform best with one inch of water each week. Container-grown plants may need water more often. The Blackbeard Beardtongue is not a heavy feeder, but benefits from a balanced fertilizer each spring to give it a strong start to the growing season.
Remove faded flowers to extend the bloom cycle. After the first frost, trim all growth to the ground level, and new growth will emerge in the spring.
Blackbeard Beardtongue Spacing
The upright growth habit of the Blackbeard Beardtongue will reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Plants spread 1 to 2 feet wide. Leave 1 to 2 feet between plants to create a dense planting or grow one plant in an 18-inch container.
Blackbeard Beardtongue Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1-2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Dry
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple
- Flower Description
- Lavender
- Bloom Time
- Early to Mid-Summer
- Foliage Color
- , Purple
- Foliage Description
- Burgundy and Crimson
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous, Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Blackbeard Beardtongue
- Also Known As
- Blackbeard Penstemon
- Botanical Name
- Penstemon x 'Blackbeard'
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!