Onyx and Pearls Beard Tongue
Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls'
Walters Gardens
An impressive penstemon producing soft lavender flowers with white interiors, vividly contrasting deep eggplant purple foliage on equally dark stems; makes a beautiful visual impact when massed in the garden, along walkways, or in borders
Local Pick UpFeatures and Growing Tips
Note: Each live plant is unique and may differ from the photo while maintaining its beauty. Plants come in a plastic pot; other items in images are not included.
Landscape Qualities
Onyx and Pearls Beard Tongue is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
Ornamental Qualities
Onyx and Pearls Beard Tongue has masses of beautiful spikes of lavender tubular flowers with white throats rising above the foliage from early to mid summer | which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive glossy narrow leaves remain deep purple in color throughout the season. The dark red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.
Planting and Growing
Onyx and Pearls Beard Tongue will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity | with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant | individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. It grows at a fast rate | and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial | this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter | and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil | and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant | and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however | as a cultivated variety | be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Plant Facts
Prefers full sun to partial shade
Keep moisture level dry to average
Mature Size 4'Hx4'W
Cutflower Favorite
Flowers are lavender
Flowers from early to mid summer
Attracts butterflies; hummingbirds
Zone 3a
Likes well drained soil