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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Penstemon smallii

Small's Beardtongue, Blue Ridge Beardtongue

Scientific Name:

Penstemon smallii

Genus:

Penstemon

Species Epithet:

smallii

Common Name:

Small's Beardtongue, Blue Ridge Beardtongue

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Pink, Purple

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

May, June

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Woodlands, cliffs, glades, roadbanks. Fairly common to frequent, at least locally, in the NC mountains; ranges north to Mount Jefferson (Ashe County).  Seemingly uncommon in the far southwestern counties. Locally uncommon in the far western Piedmont close to the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Highest Wildlife Value

Landscape Value:

Highly Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G3 - Vulnerable (*Key)

Blue Ridge Beardtongue is a handsome garden plant. I happened to catch this planter at peak bloom at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Asheville.

Buncombe County, NC, cultivated

The Scientific Name is Penstemon smallii. You will likely hear them called Small's Beardtongue, Blue Ridge Beardtongue. This picture shows the Blue Ridge Beardtongue is a handsome garden plant.  I happened to catch this planter at peak bloom at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Asheville. of Penstemon smallii

Will Stuart

Blossoms are lavender and open throated, the lower lobe with bright purple lines and long white hairs forming a bristly beard.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, Mecklenburg County, NC

The Scientific Name is Penstemon smallii. You will likely hear them called Small's Beardtongue, Blue Ridge Beardtongue. This picture shows the Blossoms are lavender and open throated, the lower lobe with bright purple lines and  long white hairs forming a bristly beard. of Penstemon smallii

Will Stuart

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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