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Penstemon cobaea var. purpurea 'Purple Ozark' (Beardtongue) is a native wildflower with huge lavender-blue flowers and glossy deep green foliage. Magnificent is barely adequate to describe this richly colored Penstemon. Bumblebees adore this plant and actually fit into these oversized flowers when pollinating them! A rare variety from southern Missouri Ozarks, this native plant treasure is seldom seen in garden cultivation. Blooming in early summer with nectar-rich flowers, this perennial is a favorite of the bumblebees. A special addition for waterwise gardens.
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low
temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will
survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack
of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
Penstemon cobaea var. purpurea 'Purple Ozark' (Beardtongue) blooms in early summer with spikes of large, lavender-purple flowers pushing up from rosettes of large, glossy, deep green leaves. The foliage is as ornamental as the flowers. This drought tolerant plant may look delicate, but it’s a tough and durable addition to your waterwise garden. In nature, Penstemons, commonly called Beardtongues, are pioneer plants that are some of the first wildflowers to move into places with disturbed soils and areas burned by fire. They can take the difficult dry growing conditions necessary for them to be the plants that first colonize an area, and they are strong re-seeders so they can move into new territory.
Penstemon are generally evergreen and have beautiful flowers that are very attractive to hummingbirds. Most varieties are rabbit resistant.
They need “elbow room,” maximum sun, heat and don’t like to be crowded by other plants.
Plant only in well-drained soils; clay soils and Penstemon are incompatible.
Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost and fertilizer will shorten their lifespan.
They establish quickly and the amount and frequency of watering needs to be reduced after about 8 to 10 weeks to create dry conditions.
When using drip irrigation, be sure to put the emitter off to the side of the plant, not right on top of the root ball to avoid overwatering the plant.
Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
Mulch with gravel or pine needles in arid climates. No mulch is needed where conditions are moister. Always avoid bark, grass clippings, or compost as mulch materials.
Allow some of the plants to set seed (don't deadhead all of the flower spikes)*.
*To keep penstemon that have finely textured or matted evergreen foliage looking their best, you'll want to 'deadhead" them. Shear off the fading flowering spikes just as the plant is going out of flower. Gently bunch the flower spikes together with one hand and cut them off at the point where they go down into the mat of foliage with your clipper in your other hand. Recommended for the following varieties: P. pinifolius types (‘Compactum', ‘Mersea Yellow', ‘Nearly Red', ‘Magdalena Sunshine' and ‘Tall Orange Mix'), as well as Penstemon linarioides v. coloradensis and Penstemon virens ('Blue Lips').
View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat. The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.
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 is a native wildflower with huge lavender-blue flowers and glossy deep green foliage. Magnificent is barely adequate to describe this richly colored Penstemon. Bumblebees adore this plant and actually fit into these oversized flowers when pollinating them! A rare variety from southern Missouri Ozarks, this native plant treasure is seldom seen in garden cultivation. Blooming in early summer with nectar-rich flowers, this perennial is a favorite of the bumblebees. A special addition for waterwise gardens.)
