Perennial
Beardtongue
Penstemon australis
Monrovia® varieties
Varieties We Carry
StandardPenstemon digitalisHairyPenstemon australisWhitePenstemon australis
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$7.95
Seed PackFrom$3.39
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 25.
LightFull Sun
WaterLow
Mature size1-3 feet × 1-2 feet
About Beardtongue
Beardtongue (Penstemon australis) is a native perennial of the southeastern United States, bearing upright stems of tubular, lavender-pink to purple flowers with a characteristic hairy staminode that gives the genus its common name. It is a pollinator-friendly wildflower well suited to dry, well-drained native plant gardens. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- Pink, Purple
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Southern Beardtongue performs best in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. In NE Florida, partial afternoon shade can reduce heat stress and extend blooming during the warmest weeks.
Water
Drought-tolerant once established in sandy, well-drained Florida soils. Water regularly during establishment; thereafter, rely on rainfall. Avoid consistently wet conditions, which cause root rot. This native adapts well to NE Florida's dry winters and wet summers.
Soil & Fertilizer
Thrives in well-drained, sandy to loamy soils with low to moderate fertility — the typical upland conditions of NE Florida. Light fertilization in spring with a balanced slow-release formula is sufficient; heavy fertilizing promotes rank foliage at the expense of flowers.
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Common questions
Is Beardtongue a good plant for St. Augustine?
Beardtongue is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with low salt tolerance, reaching 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.