{"product_id":"calico-beardtongue","title":"Calico Beardtongue","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePenstemon calycosus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Woodland edges, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, rain gardens, perennial borders, cut flower gardens, naturalized meadows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e Calico Beardtongue is an underused native wildflower that fills an important niche — it brings the tubular, hummingbird-attracting blooms of the Penstemon genus to partially shaded sites where most beardtongues will not grow. Strong, upright stems carry clusters of lavender-pink flowers that never flop, and the glossy green foliage and fall seed heads extend visual interest well beyond the bloom window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Partial Sun\/Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright, Clumping — strong stems rise from a basal rosette\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavender to Pink\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 ft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1–2 ft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Spring to Early Summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost beardtongues demand full sun and dry soil, which limits where gardeners can use them. Calico Beardtongue breaks that rule. This eastern native thrives in the dappled light of woodland edges and half-shaded borders, opening clusters of delicate lavender-pink tubular flowers on sturdy, upright stems in late spring and early summer. The blooms fan out from the stem in loose panicles, and their color can range from soft mauve to rich violet depending on the individual plant — a natural variability that makes mass plantings especially engaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe stems themselves are part of the display, often blushing red-purple as they mature. Glossy, bright green leaves are arranged in neat pairs along the stem, and the basal rosettes that anchor the plant can remain semi-evergreen through mild winters. After blooming, the clustered seed heads take on warm red and bronze tones in fall, adding late-season interest and providing food for birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePollinators are drawn to Calico Beardtongue in force. Long-tongued bees, bumblebees, mason bees, and sphinx moths work the flowers, and hummingbirds visit regularly. It is also a larval host for the Common Buckeye butterfly. Deer and rabbits leave it alone, and the plant has proven long-lived in garden settings with minimal maintenance required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalico Beardtongue Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCalico Beardtongue performs well in full sun to partial shade. In full sun, it benefits from consistently moist soil. In partial shade — its preferred condition — it is more forgiving of moisture fluctuations. The deeper the shade, the less intense the flower color may be, but it will still bloom reliably in bright, dappled light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSoil should be loamy and well-drained. This species adapts to a range of soil types, including clay and sandy loams, and tolerates both neutral and slightly alkaline pH. It is also suitable for rain gardens, tolerating brief periods of standing water after rain events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly during the first season to establish. Once settled in, Calico Beardtongue is moderately drought tolerant, especially in shadier sites. In full sun or sandy soil, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFertilization is generally unnecessary. Overly rich soil can produce floppy growth. If desired, a light application of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e in early spring is sufficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeadhead spent flower stems in early summer to tidy the plant, or leave the seed heads for fall interest and self-sowing. Cut back old foliage in late winter before new rosettes emerge. Division is rarely necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Calico Beardtongue for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur Calico Beardtongue ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Calico Beardtongue Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCalico Beardtongue typically reaches two to three feet tall in bloom and one to two feet wide. The basal rosette stays low and compact, while the flowering stems rise above to display the blooms at eye level in a border planting. Plants fill out fully by their second growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is most commonly called Calico Beardtongue. Other names include Long-Sepal Beardtongue, Long-Sepal Penstemon, and Smooth Beardtongue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is Calico Beardtongue different from Foxglove Beardtongue?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFoxglove Beardtongue (\u003ci\u003ePenstemon digitalis\u003c\/i\u003e) is a close relative with white flowers and a preference for full sun. Calico Beardtongue has lavender-pink flowers and tolerates significantly more shade, making it the better choice for woodland edges and partly shaded gardens. Both are excellent \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/native-plants\"\u003enative plants\u003c\/a\u003e for pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes Calico Beardtongue attract hummingbirds?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The tubular flower shape is well-suited to hummingbird feeding, and they visit regularly during the bloom period. Bumblebees, mason bees, and sphinx moths are also frequent visitors, making this one of the more active \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/perennials\"\u003eperennials\u003c\/a\u003e for pollinator gardens in partly shaded settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Calico Beardtongue deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Both deer and rabbits typically avoid this plant. Its adaptability to shade, moisture variability, and deer browsing pressure makes it especially valuable in eastern woodland gardens where all three challenges are common.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Calico Beardtongue self-sow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt can self-sow in favorable conditions, but it is not aggressive about it. Seedlings are easy to transplant or remove if they appear in unwanted spots. To prevent self-sowing, simply deadhead the flower stems after bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"2 Gallon \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":46700821971106,"sku":"PNO5-CalBT-2-1yr","price":47.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Calico-Beardtongue-1.jpg?v=1774342863","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/calico-beardtongue","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}