It’s early in the season for most meadow wildflowers, but peeking out low amongst the foliage this week at the Shenandoah County Landfill is a member of one of my favorite groups of flowers - Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus). The clusters of lovely pale violet flowers make up for the unattractive name, which refers to its fuzzy lower petals and protruding hairy stamen.

According to the Xerces Society, “These hairs serve an interesting function, forcing bees deeper into the flower… As they do so, the anthers of the flower wrap around the body of the bee, adhering pollen where it will be perfectly aligned to meet the stigma of the next flower. If you look into the tubular flowers you’ll notice several distinct lines leading to the back of the flower known as nectar guides. These lines act like runway lights, advertising to bees that “the good stuff is back here!”

I love watching bees wiggle inside the inch-long trumpet shaped blooms to reach the nectar, leaving only their cute fuzzy bee butts hanging out the end. This plant is also a larval host for seven species of butterflies and moths, including the threatened Baltimore Checkerspot.

Pollinator Profile:

Sometimes referred to as “feathered bees”, hummingbirds are important pollinators. In fact, according to the Audubon Society, about 8,000 plants in North and South America rely on pollination by hummingbirds! As you can see in the digital drawing above, the long flower tube of penstemon flowers are the perfect fit for a hummingbird to stop by for a sip.

Check out the information below to see if this native might be a good fit for your yard!

Bloom Time: Late May to late June

Height: 16"-24"

Cultivation: Native Virginia perennial. Full sun, part shade. Medium-wet to dry well-drained soils; tolerates thin soils. Often self sows.

Seed collecting and sowing: Small pods form after blooming. Gather seeds as soon as pods begin to open. Monitor to prevent loss since seeds can be blown away by wind. Direct sow on soil surface in fall. Indoors, cold-moist stratification is required.

Pollination/Insect Interaction: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies. Penstemon's late spring bloom time is important in providing a continuous supply of nectar.