Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Penstemon ovatus
Broadleaf Beardtongue
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Height
- 24 to 36 in
- Width
- 12 to 18 in
- Flower color
- Rich violet blue tubular flowers in tall open clusters
- Foliage color
- Deep green smooth ovate leaves forming upright basal clumps
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to light partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low cut back spent flower stems and allow natural reseeding
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- Hummingbirds, bees and other native pollinators
About this plant
Penstemon ovatus produces upright spikes of clear blue to violet tubular flowers in late spring to early summer, rising above smooth, oval green leaves that give the plant a composed woodland presence. Each bloom forms a softly flared mouth suited to visiting pollinators, while the vertical arrangement of flowers creates rhythm through borders and open plantings.
Native to moist forests and streamside clearings of western North America, it reflects the cool seasonal patterns of the Pacific Northwest landscape. Seasonal growth and reliable flowering allow colonies to settle naturally into mixed perennial plantings, contributing soft color and vertical texture through the main blooming period.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Vista Gardens.
