Penstemon smallii (Blue Ridge Beardtongue) - NC Ecotype
Penstemon smallii is a gorgeous wildflower endemic to the Southern Appalachians with great value for pollinators. Its pink-purple blooms are showy, tolerant of shade, and great for wooded slopes. This species withstands some deer pressure and it is sought after by a variety of pollinators, making it a must for mountain gardens.
Penstemon smallii is a gorgeous wildflower endemic to the Southern Appalachians with great value for pollinators. Its pink-purple blooms are showy, tolerant of shade, and great for wooded slopes. This species withstands some deer pressure and it is sought after by a variety of pollinators, making it a must for mountain gardens.
Penstemon smallii is a gorgeous wildflower endemic to the Southern Appalachians with great value for pollinators. Its pink-purple blooms are showy, tolerant of shade, and great for wooded slopes. This species withstands some deer pressure and it is sought after by a variety of pollinators, making it a must for mountain gardens.
NC Ecotype! Penstemon smallii is an all around great plant for mountain gardens, with beauty and endurance to match. Tall 3’ stalks bear vibrant violet-pink blooms for 4 weeks or more May-June, longer than other Penstemon species, and it can sometimes repeat later in the season. Stems and leaves bear rich purple veins giving it attractive foliage, which can turn a scarlet-bronze in fall. The basal leaves will often persist in the winter as well, giving it a protective living mulch quality. It is native to woodland slopes, with deep roots that can tolerate periods of drought and assist with erosion control. While it tolerates shade, the best blooms occur in 4 hours of direct sun or more.
Penstemon species are known for being great pollinator wildflowers, and Penstemon smallii is no exception, particularly since it can bloom longer and during a transition phase between spring ephemerals and summer wildflowers. It is graciously somewhat resistant to deer browse, but a number of caterpillar species enjoy the leaves, attracting a variety of nesting birds. A range of bee species are attracted to the flowers, including the oligolectic bee Osmia distincta that only feeds on Penstemon flowers. Other pollinators, such as beneficial syrphid flies are also supported, which is important for natural pest control. Finally, the semi-evergreen leaves can be a vital harbor to insects and other tiny organisms needing shelter from predators and cold winters.
Pollinators: bumblebees, digger bees, halictid bees, leafcutter bees, mason bees, small carpenter bees, syrphid flies, wasps
Host Plant for Butterflies/Moths: 7+ Lepidoptera species including the Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) and the Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton).
Dependent Species: Osmia distincta
Wildlife Value: Hummingbirds, Songbirds, Thrushes, Wood Warblers, hollow stems for insect nests, shelter, winter cover
Deer Resistance: Good
Native Region: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont
Seed Origin: Watauga County, NC
Ecoregion: 66 - Blue Ridge
USDA Zones: 5-8
States found in our region: AL, GA, NC, SC, TN
