When does Rydberg's beardtongue bloom?

Rydberg's beardtongue typically blooms from May through July, with timing depending on elevation and local snowmelt.

What pollinators visit Rydberg's beardtongue?

Bees and hummingbirds are the primary visitors, drawn to the tubular blue-purple flower whorls.

How much water does this plant need?

It tolerates low water once established and generally prefers well-drained soil over consistently moist conditions.

What light conditions suit this plant best?

Full sun is ideal, though it can tolerate some part sun, especially at higher elevations with cooler afternoons.

What growth habit does Rydberg's beardtongue have?

It is a low, clump-forming forb with upright flowering stems that die back to the ground each year.

Is Rydberg's Beardtongue toxic to livestock?

Rydberg's Beardtongue is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.

Is Rydberg's Beardtongue HOA-friendly?

Rydberg's Beardtongue takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Rydberg's Beardtongue

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Penstemon rydbergii

Last reviewed: September 2026

Penstemon rydbergii is a compact perennial forb that produces whorled clusters of blue-purple flowers from May through July. It grows well in full sun with low water in mountain meadows, sagebrush flats, and rocky slopes.

Toxicity unknown

Rydberg's Beardtongue (Penstemon rydbergii) 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.

Rydberg's Beardtongue is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 7 more states

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains

Rydberg's beardtongue is a compact native perennial that produces tubular flowers in late spring through summer. This drought-tolerant wildflower forms neat clumps and works well in rock gardens and xeriscaping designs.

Growing Rydberg's Beardtongue

Grow Rydberg's Beardtongue in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 24 inches tall and spread 4 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Rydberg's Beardtongue takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Appears too wild and informal for front yard landscaping
Unknown winter appearance may look untidy
May be perceived as weedy by conservative HOAs

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and native bees during the blooming season from May through July.

Common questions

When does Rydberg's beardtongue bloom?: Rydberg's beardtongue typically blooms from May through July, with timing depending on elevation and local snowmelt.
What pollinators visit Rydberg's beardtongue?: Bees and hummingbirds are the primary visitors, drawn to the tubular blue-purple flower whorls.
How much water does this plant need?: It tolerates low water once established and generally prefers well-drained soil over consistently moist conditions.
What light conditions suit this plant best?: Full sun is ideal, though it can tolerate some part sun, especially at higher elevations with cooler afternoons.
What growth habit does Rydberg's beardtongue have?: It is a low, clump-forming forb with upright flowering stems that die back to the ground each year.
Is Rydberg's Beardtongue toxic to livestock?: Rydberg's Beardtongue is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Rydberg's Beardtongue HOA-friendly?: Rydberg's Beardtongue takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Rydberg's Beardtongue? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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