Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001055
11/12/99
Penstemon barbatus--Common Beard-tongue
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Height: 36 in Spread: 18 in
Type: herbaceous perennial
Flowers: Pink
Comments: These spring-flowering plants are semi-
evergreen. Provide a warm, sunny growing area with well-
drained soil. Avoid planting them in clay although
partial shade will not be a problem. Flowering is best
during cool weather. Remove spent flower spikes as they
fade so that additional flowers will be produced.
Propagation: Propagation is by seed, division or cuttings.
Take softwood cuttings from non-flowering side shoots.
The seed germinates in two to three weeks at temperatures
between 65 and 75 degrees. Division should be done in the
spring.
Cultivars:
'Bashful' - Orange flowers.
'Coccineus' - Red flowers.
'Elfin Pink' - Clear pink flowers are produced by
plants 12 inches tall.
'Prairie Dusk' - Rosy purple flowers.
'Prairie Fire' - Coral-red flowers.
'Rose Elf' - Tubular pink flowers (Vis. 2) are produced
by plants (Vis. 1) 22 inches tall.
'Sour Grapes' - Purple flowers. (Vis. 3)
References for Cultivars: Walters Gardens 1999, Weston
Nurseries 1999, White Flower Farm 1999, Ray Wiegand's
Nursery 1999, Bailey Nurseries 1999, Sheridan Nurseries
1999, Willoway Nurseries 1999.
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to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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