Hairy Beardongue - PollinateHV Local Ecotype

This adaptable native wildflower is a charming and hardworking addition to the early summer landscape. Distinct from other Penstemons by its earlier bloom time and the fine, downy hairs that cover its slender stems, Hairy Beardtongue offers open clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in soft hues of lavender, pale purple, and white. It gets its whimsical name from the fuzzy texture found on the protruding lower lip of the bloom. Standing just one to two feet tall, it is a versatile choice for rock gardens, cottage borders, or dry woodland edges, thriving in a wide range of sun and soil conditions.

Beyond its delicate beauty, this plant is an ecological powerhouse. Flowering from late May to late June, it provides a critical nectar source for bumblebees and hummingbirds before many summer perennials have woken up, and serves as a vital larval host for Checkerspot butterflies. The show doesn't end with the blooms; in autumn, the lance-shaped foliage transforms into a lovely golden-red, extending the visual interest of your native garden well into the cooler months.