Hummingbirds Love This Gorgeous Flower With A Strange Name

There is a lot of fun to be had in gardening specifically with hummingbirds in mind. Not only does adding some of their preferred plants mean you will get to enjoy watching the little birds flit around your yard, but you may find that many of their favorite flowers soon become your favorites as well. One of the best flowers for attracting hummingbirds is also one of the prettiest to add to your garden. And with the unique name of beardtongue (Penstemon spp.), you are not likely to forget what it is called.

A look at the beardtongue's flowers helps explain the odd name and the appeal to hummingbirds. Stamens poke out from the tube-shaped blooms in a way some find reminiscent of a tongue. Their tubular shape is also why these flowers are such hummingbird magnets. This is one of the little birds' favorite flower shapes, as it's perfect for getting their long bills inside of to enjoy the flower's nectar. While this beautiful tubular flower may deserve a name that better matches its charm, this genus of perennial plant has a lot going for it. In addition to attracting hummingbirds, many beardtongues are also a hit with bees, butterflies, and even songbirds. And with a range of flower colors to choose from, you are sure to find one that is a perfect fit for your garden.

The Penstemon genus has an impressive number of species within it, with the vast majority native to North America and many perfect for growing in gardens. This includes the beautiful eastern beardtongue (Penstemon laevigatus) which thrives in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8 and grows in everything from the full sun to deep shade. Another beautiful beardtongue worth checking out is foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), which is hardy in zones 3 through 8 and prefers full to partial sun. The heights of beardtongues also vary by species, with some growing to 4 feet or more, while others remain at a more manageable size of 2 feet or less. While you may need to do some research to find the right beardtongue species for your yard, you can be assured that whichever you choose, they are sure to be a hit with hummingbirds.

There are many types of beardtongues you can easily grow from seed, though there are also some unique cultivars like the brilliant red Penstemon 'Rose Rhinestones' (Penstemon barbatus 'Rose Rhinestones') which can only be purchased as live plants. Regardless of which kind you opt for, beardtongues make great additions to perennial pollinator gardens, where they can combine perfectly with other perennial plants that will fill your yard with hummingbirds.