Summit Sweets™ Purple Beardtongue

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

14-16 Inches

Mature Spread

10-12 Inches

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Summit Sweets™ Purple Beardtongue is the fast way to add real height and saturated purple flower spikes without signing up for a high-water, high-maintenance perennial. Penstemon hybrida ‘Balsummpurl’ grows 30–34 inches tall and 24–30 inches wide, so it brings a tall, dramatic profile to the back of a border or in a large container. That “big plant, easy care” combination is the main advantage here, especially for sunny gardens that get hot and dry. Tubular purple blooms show up from spring into summer and keep the display going with minimal fuss. 

Strong, upright stems help Summit Sweets™ Purple Beardtongue stay vertical, which makes it useful as a cut flower too. Its heat tolerance and drought tolerance make it a stellar addition to full-sun beds, slopes, and other dry sites. It attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies all summer. Plant it as a repeating accent to create rhythm through long borders, or use one plant to lift the back line of a mixed bed. We also recommend it when you want a thriller that can handle summer stress and still look sharp.

Summit Sweets™ Purple Beardtongue Care

Grow Summit Sweets™ Purple Beardtongue in full sun for the sturdiest stems and best flowering. Provide soil that drains quickly and aim for a pH near neutral, around 6.5–7.5. When planting, keep the crown level with the surrounding soil and avoid burying it. Water lightly but regularly for the first few weeks, then allow the ground to dry between waterings once the plant is established. Feed once a month during the growing season to support repeat bloom and strong growth.

Cut off finished flower stalks to encourage more blooms and keep the plant tidy. In early spring, remove last year’s stems after new growth appears.

Summit Sweets™ Purple Beardtongue Spacing

Space plants 26–32 inches apart so each clump can widen without crowding. For containers, choose a pot at least 16–18 inches wide to support the height and keep it from tipping. In a big patio pot, it acts like a built-in centerpiece and gives surrounding plants a clear focal point. For companions, try this penstemon with threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata), stonecrop sedum, and little bluestem.

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