Common Name: Large-flowered Beardtongue
Family: Plantaginaceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Height: 2.0 to 3.0 feet
Spread: 1.0 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Lavender to rose-purple, tubular and bell-shaped
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Water Needs: Dry to medium
Soil Preference: Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils
Maintenance Level: Low
Suggested Use: Prairie plantings, dry borders, pollinator gardens
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Tolerates: Drought, deer, dry soil
Notable Features: Showy blooms, waxy bluish foliage, highly drought tolerant
Native Range:
Great Plains and Central U.S., including Nebraska. Grows naturally in dry prairies, sandhills, and open slopes.
Nebraska Growing Notes:
Thrives in dry, sunny locations with sandy or rocky soils. Not tolerant of poor drainage or heavy clay. Its thick, glaucous leaves and stout flower stalks make it visually striking. Native to the Sandhills region and other open uplands.
Landscape Use:
Ideal for xeriscapes, native prairie restorations, and wildflower gardens. Beautiful when planted in drifts or paired with other Great Plains natives like Liatris, Echinacea, and Schizachyrium.
Caution:
Avoid overwatering or planting in low spots, root rot risk in wet soils.
Garden Locations:
Sources: