Calico beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)
Calico beardtongue is a perennial wildflower that blooms in late spring with flowers that are purple on the outside and white inside. They can tolerate a range of soil conditions and provide nectar and pollen to a range of bees and butterflies. The stems and seed pods of calico beardtongue add visual interest in the winter garden.
Natural habitat:
Light requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil requirements: Rich, consistently moist
USDA hardiness: 4-7
Height: 2′-3′
Spacing: 1′-2′
Wildlife value: Bees, songbirds
Deer resistance: Resistant
Rabbit resistance: Resistant
Germination requirements
30 CMS
Calico beardtongue seeds require 30 days of cold moist stratification (abbreviated CMS in many reference guides). Stratification is the process of pre-treating seeds to mimic their natural cycles in an artificial setting.
Cold moist stratification can be achieved by sowing the seeds in your planting medium, covering very lightly with additional medium, gently watering them in, and setting them outside for a minimum of 30 days of temperatures consistently below 40 degrees. They will germinate when the soil warms up in spring. Alternatively, you can mix the seeds with a small amount of moist (not wet) sand, perlite, or vermiculite in a plastic baggie and place it in a refrigerator for 30 days. After chilling the seeds for 30 days, sow them by spreading out the contents of the baggie on the surface of your medium, covering very lightly with additional medium, and gently watering them in.
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