How much sun does Small's beardtongue need?

Small's beardtongue grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Small's beardtongue bloom?

Small's beardtongue blooms in May and June.

Where is Small's beardtongue native?

Small's beardtongue (Penstemon smallii) is native to AL, GA, NC, SC and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Small's beardtongue attract?

Small's beardtongue draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Small's beardtongue

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Penstemon smallii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Small's beardtongue (Penstemon smallii) is a perennial forb native to AL, GA, NC, SC and 1 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Small's beardtongue (Penstemon smallii) 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

18"–30" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, GA, NC, SC and 1 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley

A compact beardtongue with glossy green rosette foliage and upright stems of tubular lavender-pink flowers with a white throat, blooming heavily in late spring along woodland edges and rocky slopes.

Growing Small's beardtongue

Grow Small's beardtongue in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

A reliable nectar source for bumble bees and occasionally visited by hummingbirds during peak spring bloom.

Common questions

How much sun does Small's beardtongue need?: Small's beardtongue grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Small's beardtongue bloom?: Small's beardtongue blooms in May and June.
Where is Small's beardtongue native?: Small's beardtongue (Penstemon smallii) is native to AL, GA, NC, SC and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Small's beardtongue attract?: Small's beardtongue draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

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