- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 3 - 4 Feet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 8
Dark Towers Beardtongue is a beautiful flowering plant developed by Dale Lindgren at the University of Nebraska. The foliage is a deep purple that doesn't fade during summer waves. This plant is known for its tall spikes of pink flowers that bloom in the late spring and early summer. Its slender flower spikes can grow up to 3 feet in height. The flowers are tubular and have five lobes, each containing a pair of small, pointed ears. The plant gets its common name from the long, hairy stamens that protrude from the flowers, resembling a beard.
Dark Towers has an upright, clump-forming growth habit and can reach heights of up to 4 feet. The dense purple foliage stays evergreen in winter. This plant is generally resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners of all abilities. It is also drought tolerant, making it a good choice for areas with dry and hot conditions.
Dark Towers Beardtongue Care
Regarding care, the Dark Towers Beardtongue is relatively easy to grow. It prefers full sun, although it can tolerate partial sun. The Dark Towers Beardtongue prefers well-drained, sandy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 but can tolerate various soil types as long as they are well draining. During the establishment phase, water Dark Towers regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, it is drought tolerant and does not require frequent supplemental watering. Feed this perennial in early spring with a single application of a granular, slow-release fertilizer.
Pruning is generally unnecessary, as Dark Towers has a naturally attractive and tidy growth habit. However, if the plant becomes overgrown or leggy, it can be lightly trimmed in mid-summer to encourage a fuller, more compact shape. Remove any tattered foliage in early spring to encourage new growth.
You can propagate the plant by division, which involves dividing the root ball of an established plant and planting the divisions in separate pots or areas of the garden. Pentstemon has dense roots and may require some deep digging to extract them. The best time to divide Dark Towers is late summer or early fall.
Dark Towers Beardtongue Spacing
Space Dark Towers Beardtongue about 2-3 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation and room for the plants to grow. This will help to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth. You can also grow it in a container with a diameter of a least 16 inches.
Dark Towers Beardtongue Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Perennials |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 3 - 4 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Habit: Upright, clump |
| Flower Color(s): Pink |
| Flower Description: Lavender |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green, Purple, Red |
| Foliage Description: Purple-Red |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
| Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Foliage Interest, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Dark Towers Beardtongue |
| Other Name(s): Dark Towers Beardtongue |
| Scientific Name: Penstemon 'Dark Towers' |
- SKU:
- 1231008847-pc
Container Sizes
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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
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
2.5 Quart
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
#1 Pot
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
#2 Pot
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
#3 Pot
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
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations