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Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove or Tall White Beard-tongue)

Opposite, lanceolate leaves of Penstemon digitalis (foxglove beard-tongue) on glabrous, rigid, green to purple-tinged stems in April.
A clump of flowering Penstemon digitalis (foxglove beard-tongue) in May.
Four fertile stamens and an apically pubescent staminode of Penstemon digitalis (foxglove beard-tongue) in May.
Penstemon digitalis (foxglove beard-tongue) buds and flowers with visiting bumble bee in May.
Opposite, finely-toothed, clasping leaves of native Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
Clumps of flowering Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red' (foxglove beard-tongue) at the MG Tribute Garden in May.
Septicidal capsules of Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red' fruit

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Penstemon digitalis Foxglove or Tall White Beard-tongue Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Attractive foliage and showy flowers recommend this plant, which is so readily adaptable to the Mid-Atlantic climate that it may not be native* to Virginia, but rather a Midwest introduction through cultivation. The genus name derives from the Greek “penta” and “stemon” or “five stamen”— a reference to its characteristic fifth sterile stamen, a staminode. Perennial Flowers En Masse and Close-up** Height: 2–4 feet Spread: 11⁄2–2 feet Bloom Color: White with purple/lavender Characteristics Upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial Elliptic, toothed, green to red-tinted basal rosette leaves; opposite, lanceolate, often finely-toothed & shiny leaves on glabrous, rigid, green to purple-tinged stems Terminal, sometimes glandular-pubescent, panicles of tubular, bilabiate, white flowers often with pink or violet lines inside corolla and five stamens (including one apically pubescent staminode) bloom for about one month late spring to early summer Oval septicidal capsules follow Spreads by seed or by short rhizomes Attributes Tolerates clay soil, dry soil, drought; no serious pests or diseases, although root rot can occur in waterlogged soils; deer occasionally severely damage Attractive in fresh-cut floral arrangements Attracts specialized bees, other pollinators (including butterflies and hummers); larval host to ~7 lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Well-drained, loamy Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Saponaria officinalis - Soapwort/Bouncing Bet Water Requirements: Dry (occasionally), Moist Securigera varia syn. Coronilla varia - Crown Vetch Yellows and wilts in severe drought *It is native to DC and common in DE. It is present throughout MD and PA. In VA, it is frequent in the northern mountains and Piedmont, infrequent elsewhere in these provinces, and rare in the Coastal Plain, but It is not clear whether this species is native to Virginia or introduced from the midwestern U.S. In NoVA, it has not been reported in Arlington County. **May be popular cultivar ‘Husker Red.’ Use in borders or in native, pollinator, butterfly, drought-tolerant, or naturalized gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a-8b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Christa Watters (top), Simpson Park Demo Garden and by Mary Free, MG Tribute Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic 

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Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove or Tall White Beard-tongue)

Attractive foliage and showy flowers recommend this plant, which is so readily adaptable to the Mid-Atlantic climate that it may not be native to Virginia, but rather a Midwest introduction through cultivation. The genus name derives from the Greek “penta” and “stemon” or “five stamen”— a reference to its characteristic fifth sterile stamen, a staminode.

*It is native to DC and common in DE. It is present throughout MD and PA. In VA, it is frequent in the northern mountains and Piedmont, infrequent elsewhere in these provinces, and rare in the Coastal Plain, but It is not clear whether this species is native to Virginia or introduced from the midwestern U.S. In NoVA, it has not been reported in Arlington County. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets