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Botanical name: Penstemon digitalis
Giant Mississippi Penstemon features a white or sometimes purple tubular bloom that resembles the blooms of the annual flower Foxglove hence its botanical name. Penstemons are commonly referred to as “beardtongues” because of their sterile stamen that can be hairy. Enjoy blooms from late spring through summer.
Other names: Beardtongue, Foxglove Beardtongue, Tall White Beardtongue, Smooth White Beardtongue
| Hardiness zone | 3a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | white |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Mature height | 24 inches (5 feet with the flowers) |
| Spread | 24 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun |
| Moisture requirements | dry to moist |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Giant Mississippi Penstemon features a white or sometimes purple tubular bloom that resembles the blooms of the annual flower Foxglove hence its botanical name. Penstemons are commonly referred to as "beardtongues" because of their sterile stamen that can be hairy. Enjoy blooms from late spring through summer.
Giant Mississippi Penstemon is a great choice for naturalized areas, sunny borders, cut-flower, and rain gardens.
It attracts a number of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Members of the genus Penstemon support the following specialized bee: Osmia (Melanosima) distincta. It is also a host plant of theAndrena zizaeformis (Ephemeral Miner bee), Bombus fervidus (Golden Northern Bumble bee), Bombus rufocinctus (Red-Belted Bumble bee), Hoplitis albifrons (White-Fronted Small-Mason bee), Megachile addenda (Cranberry Leafcutter bee), Osmia lignaria (Blue Orchard bee), Osmia proxima (Proximal Mason bee), Osmia texana (Texan Mason bee).
Giant Mississippi Penstemon is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Cut-Flower Gardens, Rain Gardens, Meadows, Rock Garden, Butterfly Garden, Naturalizing and Woodland Gardens
Giant Mississippi Penstemon will grow to be only 3-5ft tall at maturity, with a spread of 1-2ft wide. The plant is a clump-forming native perennial that can be found growing in prairies, fields, and wood margins.
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. Best grown in dry to medium moisture, it prefers well-draining soil. Can be tolerant of the occasional drought once established, can be grown in clay soils but avoid overly wet, poorly drained conditions as it will lead to root rot.
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