prairie wildflower
Cobaea beardtongue
Penstemon cobaea
Also known as Prairie Penstemon, Prairie Beardtongue, Foxglove Penstemon, Foxglove Beardtongue, False Foxglove, Large-flowered Penstemon, Large-flowered Beardtongue, Cobaea Penstemon, Wild Foxglove
1 of 2Native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas
Southern Nebraska, south to south-central Missouri, western Arkansas, Oklahoma and eastern and central Texas
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 5–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. Its white and pink flowers peak in April. At up to 3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
When it blooms
The Cobaea beardtongue's white and pink flowers bloom March to May, peaking in April. This spring display draws bees and wasps.
Cobaea beardtongue blooms white & pinkFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
also Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus +6 more
Red-belted Bumble Bee, Black-and-gold Bumble Bee, Half-black Bumble Bee, Northern Amber Bumble Bee, Xylocopa tabaniformis parkinsoniae, Buff-tailed Bumble Bee - Wasps Pseudomasaris vespoides
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Baltimore checkerspotcaterpillar host
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and TexasUnited States (6): AR, KS, MO, NE, OK, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern Nebraska, south to south-central Missouri, western Arkansas, Oklahoma and eastern and central TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Calcareous or sandy loam. Rocky, Sandy, Limestone-based, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam ClayThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Capsule; ripens Mar–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.