Skip to content

Royal Beard Tongue

Penstemon Spectabilis

Design with this plant

Overview

The Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon spectabilis) is an eye-catching perennial native to California. This drought-tolerant plant showcases lush spikes of purple tubular flowers reaching up to 2-3 feet in height. Thriving in full sun to part shade, it’s ideal in US hardiness zones 7-10. Its bloom season spans spring to early summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Requires well-draining soil. Space plants approximately 18 inches apart to allow for mature spread.

Sun FullWater LowZones 8–11Climate Arid, Mediterranean
Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — The Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon spectabilis) is an eye-catching perennial native to California
Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — This drought-tolerant plant showcases lush spikes of purple tubular flowers reaching up to 2-3 feet in heightRoyal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — Thriving in full sun to part shade, it‚Äôs ideal in US hardiness zones 7-10Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — Its bloom season spans spring to early summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterfliesRoyal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — Requires well-draining soil

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Low
USDA zones
8–11

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Plantaginaceae
Climate
Arid, Mediterranean

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (5)

Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — The Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon spectabilis) is an eye-catching perennial native to California
Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — This drought-tolerant plant showcases lush spikes of purple tubular flowers reaching up to 2-3 feet in height
Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — Thriving in full sun to part shade, it‚Äôs ideal in US hardiness zones 7-10
Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — Its bloom season spans spring to early summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies
Royal Beard Tongue (Penstemon Spectabilis) — Requires well-draining soil

Related plants

Hackberry Beardtongue, Arizona Scar (Penstemon Subulatus) — The Hackberry Beardtongue

Hackberry Beardtongue, Arizona Scar

Penstemon Subulatus

Full · Zones 9–10

Wright's Penstemon (Penstemon Wrightii) — Wright's Penstemon (Penstemon wrightii) is a vibrant perennial offering tubular, hot pink to violet blooms

Wright's Penstemon

Penstemon Wrightii

Full · Zones 8–11

Beard Tongue (Penstemon 'Raven') — Penstemon 'Raven' enchants with bell-shaped flowers in a deep

Beard Tongue

Penstemon 'Raven'

Full · Zones 7–9

Red Rose Penstemon (Penstemon Superbus) — The Red Rose Penstemon (Penstemon superbus) enchants with trumpet-shaped blooms in vibrant cerise

Red Rose Penstemon

Penstemon Superbus

Full · Zones 3–8

Beard Tongue (Penstemon Species) — commonly known as Beard Tongue

Beard Tongue

Penstemon Species

Full · Zones 3–10

Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon Digitalis) — The Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis, thrives in USDA zones 3-8

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon Digitalis

Full · Zones 3–8