Smooth Beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)
Smooth Penstemon attracts a variety of native bees, hummingbirds, and Sphinx moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Baltimore Checkerspot, the Common Buckeye, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Saunder’s Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Smooth Penstemon is considered threatened in Michigan, just another reason to plant an already awesome plant (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). I just love penstemons and watching the bumblebees wiggle into them and this one can handle a little more shade than the others.
Smooth Penstemon attracts a variety of native bees, hummingbirds, and Sphinx moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Baltimore Checkerspot, the Common Buckeye, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Saunder’s Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Smooth Penstemon is considered threatened in Michigan, just another reason to plant an already awesome plant (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). I just love penstemons and watching the bumblebees wiggle into them and this one can handle a little more shade than the others.
Smooth Penstemon attracts a variety of native bees, hummingbirds, and Sphinx moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Baltimore Checkerspot, the Common Buckeye, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Saunder’s Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Smooth Penstemon is considered threatened in Michigan, just another reason to plant an already awesome plant (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). I just love penstemons and watching the bumblebees wiggle into them and this one can handle a little more shade than the others.
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial, Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium-wet, Medium
Height: 1-3 feet
Plant Spacing: 1-2 feet
Bloom Time: June-July
Bloom Color: Pinkish
Advantages: Bird Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Deer Resistant
Host Plant: Baltimore Checkerspot, the Common Buckeye, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)
Species of Concern: State Status: Threatened (legally protected) State Rank: Imperiled (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)
Specialist Bee: Possibly Mason Bee (Osmia distinct) (Holm, 2017)
Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Saunders' Sallow Moth (Sympistis saundersiana) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)
Resource: Holm, Heather. Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Pollination Press LLC, 2017
