Penstemon hirsutus – Hairy Beardtongue Plug
Soft Purple Blooms | Hardy Native for Sun or Shade
Bring subtle elegance and pollinator appeal to your garden with Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus), a resilient native perennial with soft purple, tubular flowers that bloom in late spring. This 2” x 5” planting plug will grow into a graceful, medium-height plant with slender stems and fine-textured foliage—perfect for naturalistic plantings or border edges.
🌿 At a Glance:
- Bloom Time: May–June
- Height at Maturity: 1–3 feet
- Sunlight: Full sun to full shade
- Soil Moisture: Dry to moist (well-drained)
- Pollinator Magnet: Attracts bees and early-season butterflies
🛠️ Planting Notes:
- Thrives in a wide range of light and moisture conditions
- Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates drought once established
- Best planted in spring or fall; allow 1–2 seasons for full flowering from plug size
- Excellent companion for other prairie or woodland-edge natives
This adaptable native is low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and a quiet powerhouse for supporting pollinators. Add Hairy Beardtongue to your garden and enjoy its understated charm year after year.
✨ From a small plug, big beauty grows.
Ordering & Pickup Information
You can pre-order this plant online or purchase it in person during the Roberts PTO Native Plant Sale.
Online orders will be available for pickup at any of the following sale events:
- Thursday, May 30 – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
- Friday, May 31 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Saturday, June 1 – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Pickup will take place at Roberts Elementary.
🌿 Native Plant Plugs – Affordable, Resilient, and Ready to Grow
2” wide x 5” deep plugs
Bring your landscape to life with native plants grown from seed in deep-rooted plugs. These young perennials may be small now, but they’re packed with potential—designed to establish quickly, support pollinators, and thrive in your local conditions.
🌱 Why Choose Plugs?
If you’re used to picking up gallon-size nursery pots, plugs may feel small—but here’s why they’re a smart investment:
- Stronger roots, less stress: Our deep 5″ plugs grow roots down, not around, so they take off fast when planted.
- Budget-friendly: Ideal for covering large areas or starting a garden on a budget.
- Locally adapted: These native plants are grown from seed and hardened off outdoors, so they’re ready to handle your climate.
⏳ What to Expect
Patience pays off! These are first-year perennials, so most will focus on root growth in year one, with blooming and full performance by year two or three—depending on the species and growing conditions.
You may see a few flowers in the first season, but the real show starts next year. Think of this as an investment in a long-lasting, low-maintenance landscape.
🛠️ Planting & Care
- Prepare the soil: Remove weeds and loosen soil before planting.
- Plant deep: Bury the full plug so the crown is level with the soil.
- Water well: Keep moist for the first few weeks to help roots establish.
- Mulch lightly: Great for moisture retention and weed suppression—just keep mulch off the stem.
🌼 Designed for Pollinators. Built to Last.
Whether you’re starting a meadow, filling a border, or restoring habitat, native plugs are the best way to build beauty that supports bees, butterflies, and birds—from the ground up.
