Also known as Beardtongue · 2.7k gardener saves
Penstemon: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Penstemon, the genus most gardeners know as beardtongue. We track 49 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Penstemon varieties
Of 49 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFoxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis 'George Home'
#2 most savedBeardtongue Rondo
Penstemon barbatus 'Rondo'
#3 most savedBlackbeard Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis 'Blackbeard'
Dark Towers Penstemon
Penstemon digitalis 'Dark Towers'
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Red Foxglove Penstemon
Penstemon digitalis 'Arabesque Red'
Blue Springs Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus 'Blue Springs'
Penstemon pinifolius
Penstemon pinifolius
Aurora Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis 'Aurora'
Kissin' Kuzins Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis 'Kissin' Kuzins'
Husker Red Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
Stapleford Gem Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis 'Stapleford Gem'
Browse all 49 Penstemon varieties →
How to grow Penstemon
What the Penstemon varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Penstemon year
- DeadheadMay–July95% of varieties
Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom, but leave some to self-seed.
- PruneFebruary and March55% of varieties
Cut back spent flower stalks after blooming; trim lightly in late winter/early spring.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March53% of varieties
Cut back any remaining old stems before new basal growth emerges.
- DivideMarch and September43% of varieties
Divide mature clumps every 3-4 years to renew vigor
Do
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Prune after flowering to encourage bushiness
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Penstemon
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and stippled leaves | Introduce natural predators or spray with water |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and use insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if necessary |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide organic or chemical |
Making more Penstemon
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Dip cut end in rooting hormone.
- Insert into moist potting mix and keep humid for 6 weeks.
Seed
- Collect seeds in late summer when capsules are dry and brown
- Sow seeds outdoors in fall for natural cold stratification
- Or, cold-moist stratify in the refrigerator for 30-60 days
- Sow indoors in early spring on a sterile seed mix
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks
Penstemon questions
How many types of Penstemon are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 49 distinct Penstemon varieties. The most popular — ranked by 2.7k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Penstemon grow in?
Across its varieties, Penstemon covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Penstemon bloom?
Most Penstemon varieties bloom in late spring to early summer, late spring, late spring to mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Penstemon should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Penstemon
Penstemon shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Penstemon in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
