June 4, 2026

Gray Beardtongue (Penstemon canescens), is in bloom right now along trails up here in the mountains. It gets is common name, including the confusing “gray”, because its stems and leaves have a thick covering of tiny hairs which create a subtle gray look.

It often grows to a height of about 30 inches tall, topped with a cluster of flowers located at the top of the main stem. It’s flowers are pinkish-purple, pale purple, or violet, which attract native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Its native range is the eastern US as far north as Pennsylvania and as far south as Alabama. Its range extends west to Illinois.

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