Calico Beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)

Calico Beardtongue, also known as Smooth Beardtongue, looks a great deal like the probably-familiar Foxglove Beardtongue, except the flowers are purplish-pink, whereas Foxglove Beardtongue has white flowers that are tinged with light purple. This plant is more erect, taller and has deeper tubular flowers than Hairy Beardtongue. All three may be found in the prairie. Hairy Beardtongue and Calico Beardtongue may also be found in the savannah setting.

Additionally, there is a cultivar of Foxglove Beardtongue called “Husker Red” that also looks similar, but it has reddish-purple stems and leaves.

This plant grows from 1-3 feet high, likes part-sun to full sun and moist to mesic soil. Soil should be loamy and full or organic material.

Calico Beardtongue is rare in Michigan, found only in three counties and is considered threatened. Both Michigan Flora and Michigan Natural Features Inventory say that this is a plant of moist, open habitats. So apparently, it is not found in savannahs in Michigan.

Insects that pollinate have long tongues that can reach to the end of the tube including long-tongued bees, sphinx moths and hummingbirds.

Companion Plants: Spring Beauty, Honewort, Solomon’s Seal, Northern Bedstraw

Photo credit: Nate Martineau

Calico Beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution:

Height: 1-3 feet

Bloom Time: June-July

Soil: rich loam

Sun: part to full sun, light shade

Plant spacing: 12-18 inches

Flower: purple

Life cycle: perennial

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Seed source: Great Lakes region