How much sun does White beardtongue need?

White beardtongue grows best in full sun conditions.

When does White beardtongue bloom?

White beardtongue blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is White beardtongue native?

White beardtongue (Penstemon albidus) is native to CO, IA, KS, MN and 8 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does White beardtongue attract?

White beardtongue draws native bees and bumble bees.

White beardtongue

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Penstemon albidus

Last reviewed: October 2026

White beardtongue (Penstemon albidus) is a perennial forb native to CO, IA, KS, MN and 8 more states. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw native bees and bumble bees.

Toxicity unknown

White beardtongue (Penstemon albidus) 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

full sun

Water

low

Size

8"–16" H × 8"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CO, IA, KS, MN and 8 more states

Pollinators

native bees, bumble bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 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

Northwestern Forested Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains North Central Hardwood Forests

A short, upright prairie perennial with narrow gray-green leaves and a compact spike of white to pale cream tubular flowers in early summer. Stays neat and clump-forming.

Growing White beardtongue

Grow White beardtongue in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 16 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Flowers provide nectar for native bees and bumble bees on dry prairie during the early summer bloom.

Common questions

How much sun does White beardtongue need?: White beardtongue grows best in full sun conditions.
When does White beardtongue bloom?: White beardtongue blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is White beardtongue native?: White beardtongue (Penstemon albidus) is native to CO, IA, KS, MN and 8 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does White beardtongue attract?: White beardtongue draws native bees and bumble bees.

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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