Rock Candy® Blue Beardtongue

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8-10 Inches

Mature Spread

10-12 Inches

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Rock Candy® Blue Beardtongue is the compact penstemon that delivers a true lavender-blue flower spike without the lanky height that usually comes with beardtongues. Penstemon barbatus ‘Novapenblu’ forms a neat clump that finishes about 12–18 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide, so it fits where most penstemons don’t—front borders, tight mixed beds, and smaller containers. The late-spring flush is heavy often followed by a smaller rebloom in late summer, stretching your color window in a way many compact perennials can’t. This is an ideal pollinator perennial that stays sized for real gardens, not just open landscapes.

The bell-shaped blooms are shaped for hummingbirds, and the plant also draws butterflies and a steady stream of bees. Heat tolerance helps it keep going through warm spells, and it doesn’t demand constant watering once established. The upright habit stays tidy, so it works well along a walkway or at the edge of a patio bed. Use it as a crisp line in front of taller summer bloomers, or drop it into a pot where you want vertical flowers without a tall, top-heavy plant. It also makes a nice cut flower for small vases.

Rock Candy® Blue Beardtongue Care

Give Rock Candy® Blue Beardtongue full sun for the best bloom density, though a little afternoon shade is fine in hotter areas. Plant it in soil that sheds water efficiently and keep pH in the 6.0–7.5 range. Set the root ball in place and leave the crown uncovered so new shoots can emerge cleanly. In the first season, water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, then back off as the roots spread and the plant becomes more waterwise. Feed once a month during the growing season with a light application.

After the first big bloom, clip off the spent flower stems and lightly trim the plant to encourage a second round later in summer. In early spring, remove any winter-worn stems once fresh growth is visible.

Rock Candy® Blue Beardtongue Spacing

Space plants 6–12 inches apart, depending on whether you want a tight edging or individual clumps. For containers, choose a 10–12 inch pot for one plant, or step up to a wider bowl for a small grouping. Pair it with blue grama grass, yarrow, and compact daylily to contrast foliage texture, extend bloom through summer, and keep the planting proportional.

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