I’ve never given much thought to the native plant called penstemon. They are pretty. But we only have a few varieties here in Wisconsin, and the most common is smooth penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) that has seeds that smell like sour milk, so I haven’t been too concerned.
Kristin and I attended the annual Montana Native Plant Society conference in June which was sponsored in partnership with the American Penstemon Society. I now know there are over 250 species of penstemon. I also know how intensely passionate penstemon enthusiasts are.
I haven’t identified all the wildflower photos I took during our trip to Glacier/Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Parks yet, but when I’ve finished, I’ll share more penstemon photos with you — including that selfie-plant that got in the way of my photo above.
I think the ‘Pale Beardtongue’ Penstomen does well in the sandy soil of Burmett county.
The ‘grandiflorus’ or Large Flowered Beardtongue is my favorite tho as it seems to prosper in sand and if given room will do well and spread out. Altho short lived the purple flowers look great in lat May-June.
I agree with you, Marty. The beardtongues do not grow well here in Outagamie County because of the clay soil. Here’s one we found in Red Rock Canyon, Waterton, Alberta Canada in the northern reaches of Glacier National Park.