Smooth Penstemon Seeds – White Perennial Wildflower

White Early-Summer Flowers for Pollinator Gardens

Smooth Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) produces abundant white, tubular flowers above clumps of foliage in early summer. Also called Foxglove Beardtongue or Mississippi Beardtongue, this perennial brings height and an airy look to sunny borders, native plant gardens, and naturalized areas.

Plant it in groups where you can watch bumblebees and other long-tongued bees visit the flowers. Pair the white blooms with blue-flowering companions such as Ohio Spiderwort or Blue-Eyed Grass for a soft, contrasting display.

Plant Highlights

• Botanical name: Penstemon digitalis.
• Common names: Smooth Penstemon, Foxglove Beardtongue, and Mississippi Beardtongue.
• Life cycle: Clump-forming perennial.
• Native range: Eastern and Midwestern United States, including open woods, meadows, and prairies.
• Height: Approximately 3 feet.
• Flower color: White.
• Bloom season: Early summer; flowering may last a month or longer in suitable conditions.
• Light: Full sun to light shade.
• Soil: Adaptable to clay and seasonally damp conditions, provided the root zone does not remain waterlogged.
• Wildlife interest: Flowers attract bees and can also draw hummingbirds and butterflies.

Fall Sowing

Direct sow in late fall into a prepared, weed-free seedbed. Press the tiny seeds onto the soil surface without burying them, since light is needed for germination. Natural winter conditions provide a cold period before spring emergence.

Spring Sowing and Indoor Starting

For spring planting, mix seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30–60 days before sowing. Keep the mixture moist, not soggy. After the cold period, surface sow and keep the growing medium lightly moist until germination.

Seeds can be started indoors approximately 6–8 weeks before spring planting, allowing additional time beforehand for the recommended cold treatment. Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting.

Garden Care

Water seedlings while they establish. Mature plants appreciate occasional watering during dry periods, but avoid persistent saturation, which can encourage root rot. Tolerance of seasonally damp soil does not mean the plant should sit in standing water.

After flowering, trim spent stems back to several inches above the soil if you do not want seed. Leave selected stems to mature if seed saving is your goal. Smooth Penstemon can self-sow where conditions are suitable.

Growing in Containers

Choose a roomy, stable pot with drainage holes to accommodate a perennial that can reach approximately 3 feet tall. Use a well-draining potting mix and place the container in full sun or light shade.

Check moisture regularly, watering when needed and allowing excess water to drain away. Avoid leaving the pot standing in water. Allow space for the clump to develop and protect container-grown roots from severe winter exposure where necessary.

Cut Flowers and Seed Saving

For bouquets, cut stems when flowers have just opened. Remove leaves that would sit below the waterline and place stems in water immediately.

For seed saving, watch the small pods after flowering. Collect when they begin to open at the top, before the tiny seeds blow away, and store the dried seed in a cool, dry place.

Available Seed Packs

Choose 1,000 seeds, 5,000 seeds, 1/4 oz, or 1 oz. The supplied seed information lists approximately 130,000 seeds per ounce; actual counts in weight-based packs vary. This listing is for planting seeds, not established plants, and there is no separate flower-color option.