Penstemon digitalis 'Blackbeard' (Beardtongue)

Penstemon digitalis 'Blackbeard' is a cultivar of foxglove beardtongue, an upright, clump-forming perennial found in prairies, wood margins, and open forests through the eastern half of the United States. While the parent species can grow to between two and five feet tall, Penstemon digitalis 'Blackbeard' is a compact, darker-leaved variant of the original, growing to only 2-3' tall and producing gorgeous, burgundy wine to purple foliage throughout the year. This cultivar's compact but upright behavior, alongside its attractive pink and white flowers and dark purple foliage makes for a striking impression almost anywhere in the home landscape.

Penstemon digitalis thrives in full to part sun in any well-draining, medium to dry soil, though it tolerates a wide variety of soil conditions and even dry shade. In addition to its versatility in the garden, foxglove beardtongue has the added advantage of semi-evergreen foliage; though the plants' tall flower spikes are relatively short-lived, the plants' basal foliage is very long lasting, the 'Blackbeard' cultivar's unique dark foliage only furthers the plant's multi-season appeal. Penstemon digitalis 'Blackbeard' attracts a variety of pollinators, songbirds, and even hummingbirds.