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Key characteristics

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

Perennials

Penstemon ovatus

Broadleaf Beardtongue

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.

Light

Full sun to light partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

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.