Eustis Lake Beardtongue
Penstemon australis
Last reviewed: August 2026
Penstemon australis, the Eustis Lake beardtongue, sends up spikes of pink to lavender tubular flowers in May and June and does well in sandy, well drained soil with part sun and moderate water.
Toxicity unknown
Eustis Lake Beardtongue (Penstemon australis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–24" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, FL, GA, MS and 4 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
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Penstemon australis is a compact native perennial that produces tubular flowers in late spring and early summer. This beardtongue forms neat clumps with an upright growth habit and attracts a variety of pollinators during its blooming period.
Growing Eustis Lake Beardtongue
Grow Eustis Lake Beardtongue in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Eustis Lake Beardtongue is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Goes dormant in winter leaving bare spots
Wildlife value
Supports bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its nectar-rich tubular flowers. The compact size makes it valuable for smaller pollinator gardens.
Common questions
- When does Eustis Lake beardtongue bloom?
- Penstemon australis typically flowers in May and June, producing clusters of tubular pink to lavender blooms on upright stems.
- What pollinators visit Penstemon australis?
- Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are the main visitors to Penstemon australis, drawn to its tubular flowers during the spring bloom period.
- What light and water does Penstemon australis need?
- This forb grows best in part sun with medium water, and it tolerates conditions ranging from full sun to part shade and from medium moisture to drier soils once established.
- What kind of soil suits Penstemon australis?
- It favors sandy, well drained soils typical of open pinelands and sandhill habitats in the southeastern coastal plain, where excess moisture rarely lingers around the roots.
- Is Eustis Lake Beardtongue HOA-friendly?
- Eustis Lake Beardtongue is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Eustis Lake Beardtongue? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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