Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Beardtongue Foxglove is a striking perennial known for its tall spikes of tubular white to pale pink flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, this hardy plant grows up to 3 feet tall and is a magnet for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its upright flower stalks provide beautiful vertical interest in borders, prairies, or naturalized landscapes. Beardtongue Foxglove’s resilience and graceful blooms make it a standout addition to any garden, combining beauty with low-maintenance care.
NAME: Foxglove (Penstemon digitalis)
VARIETY: Beardtongue
DAYS TO MATURITY: 80 – 100 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Perennial
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 8
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Moderately fertile soil with a pH 6.0 – 7.0
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 – 24 inches
SPACING: 12 – 18 inches apart
TEMP: 45 – 90ºF
These seeds require stratification. If direct sowing in the fall, artificial stratification isn’t necessary, as the natural winter cold will fulfill this need.
Methods of stratification:
1. Scarification (optional): Lightly rub the seeds between sandpaper to break the seed coat, enhancing water absorption.
2. Cold Stratification:
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
It is generally not recommended to start Beardtongue Foxglove seeds indoors, as they tend to establish better when direct sown outdoors.
If starting indoors, begin 2-4 weeks before your last expected frost.
After stratification, sow seeds on the surface of seed trays with a well-draining mix, as they require light to germinate.
Maintain a soil temperature of 65-70°F. Germination usually occurs within 10-21 days.
Thin seedlings to one per cell, and gradually expose them to outdoor conditions over a week before transplanting.
Direct sowing is recommended for Beardtongue Foxglove.
Sow seeds outdoors in late fall to allow natural cold stratification over winter, or sow in early spring.
Choose a sunny, well-draining site. Sow seeds on the soil surface, spacing them approximately 3 inches apart, and press them in lightly without covering them, as they need light to germinate.
Keep the soil moist until germination, which should occur within 10-21 days in spring.
Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to a final spacing of 12-18 inches apart to allow room for mature growth and good air circulation.
Light: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Soil: Tolerates sandy, loamy, or rocky soils, as long as they drain well.
Water: Water regularly during the establishment period. Once mature, Beardtongue Foxglove is drought-tolerant and prefers medium to dry conditions.
Fertilization: No fertilization is needed, as this plant thrives in low-nutrient soils.
Pruning: Not necessary, though deadheading spent flowers can reduce self-seeding if desired.
