Beardtongue
Penstemon australis
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 19, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
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
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
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.
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.
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.
Similar needs
Lavender
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Lamb's Ear
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Desert Rose
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Devil's Backbone
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Peperomia
Shares 4 of the same needs: low water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Banana
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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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.