Floral Bounty

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: 2021/09 – September

The astonishing thing about gardening – what compels us to dirty our fingernails and dig our hands deep into the soil is the chance to witness the metamorphosis of plant life.  

The everchanging evolution bears truth to the notion that on no given day can you observe the same patch twice.  This is especially true on the Plateau, where our moderate climate and plentiful rain enrich plant life and the joy in cultivation.  

And so, I thought to bring to you here – a chance to watch in print the life cycle of a perennial over time from its initial planting to flowering and repose.  I hope you will stay with me over the next few months.

A big thank you to Rachel Martin, Botanist at the Highlands Biological Center, who was eager to assist and who replied at the end of July: “I wanted to reach out and propose a plant for the season-by-season idea you had suggested. We’ll be doing quite a bit of planting in fall at HBS, and one of the things we’ll be adding is some Penstemon digitalis, Tall White Beardtongue. It’s a lovely herbaceous perennial that’s just finishing up flowering now but began last month – pollinators also are a big fan.” 

Martin’s selection is especially apt as increasingly locals are showing genuine community pride while supporting their garden’s ecosystems with the choice of locally indigenous species.   

A member of the Snapdragon family, Penstemon digitalis seems to be better known by part of its scientific name (Penstemon) than by its common name, Tall White Beardtongue. The name derived from the stamens that bear tufts of short hair, like tongues with a beard. 

Outstanding in point of brilliance and growing 3 – 5 feet tall with 1.25-inch-long blooms over dark green foliage, Penstemon are particularly striking. Bearing tubular white flowers, tinged pink at the throat, the two-toned effect is quite dramatic when the plant is in full flower. 

Another notable feature of this showy plant is that it is not too fussy about planting sites, thriving in full sun or light shade.  It adapts easily to cultivation, preferring moist to dry loamy soils, and can tolerate clay soil when well-drained.  It is resistant to disease and of particular value to native bees, while the seeds and leaves are not attractive dining options for deer, rabbits, or other plant-eating animals. 

Ideal for the background or in sunny borders and a choice companion for a walk in the woods, this native plant is long-lived and thrives in a woodland setting.  

Prospective Penstemon planters can seek out examples at the Highlands Botanical Center.