Harlequin Purple Beardtongue
Best low-maintenance perennial for attracting pollinators to sunny garden spaces.
The Harlequin Purple Beardtongue is a vigorous, bushy, compact herbaceous perennial known for its long-blooming, abundant spikes of large purple flowers. This Monrovia exclusive variety is an excellent choice for perennial borders, rock gardens, and containers, offering visual appeal throughout the summer. Its blooms are also suitable for use in cut flower arrangements. This plant is highly valued as a nectar source, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your landscape. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, tolerating dry to average conditions once established.
$14.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 3083
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-46%
Below average
Mature Height
22
/ inches
Who it's for
- Eco-conscious gardeners supporting local pollinators
- Homeowners seeking long-lasting seasonal garden color
- Busy gardeners wanting low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants
Who should skip it
- Gardeners managing heavy, moisture-retaining clay soils
- Plant owners preferring long-lived, permanent landscape fixtures
- Hands-off gardeners avoiding regular grooming tasks
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Attraction
A high-impact nectar source that reliably draws bees and hummingbirds.
Drought Tolerance
Establishes quickly to handle dry spells with minimal supplemental watering.
Bloom Longevity
Provides consistent, vibrant color throughout the entire summer season.
Growth Habit
Compact and bushy structure fits perfectly into tight garden spaces.
Floral Utility
Sturdy spikes work well as elegant additions to fresh cut arrangements.
Maintenance Ease
Vigorous growth requires little intervention once the plant is established.
Key Specs
Mature Height
22 inches
Mature Width
16 inches
Light Needs
Full Sun
Bloom Time
Summer
Hardiness Zone
5
Water Needs
Dry to Average
Family Name
Beard Tongue
Genus Name
Penstemon
Features
- Long-blooming with abundant spikes of large purple flowers
- Vigorous, bushy, and compact habit ideal for borders and containers
- Valuable nectar source attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Blooms are suitable for cut flower arrangements
- Waterwise once established, tolerating periodic drought
- Fast growth rate
What customers say
Consumers consistently highlight the exceptional quality of the Harlequin Purple Beardtongue upon arrival. Reviewers frequently mention the plants are robust, well packaged, and establish quickly, demonstrating high reliability in various garden settings. The striking purple blooms and attractive foliage are major design draws, providing significant visual impact. Gardeners appreciate that this variety thrives easily, offering excellent performance and justifying the premium value associated with Monrovia stock.
Know before you buy
With a mature width of 16 inches, you should space these plants about 16 to 18 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and healthy growth.
The Harlequin Purple Beardtongue is hardy in zones 5 and warmer. If you live in a climate with extremely cold winters, ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root rot during the dormant season.
Once established, this plant is quite waterwise and can tolerate dry to average conditions. You will only need to water it regularly during its first season or during periods of extreme, prolonged drought.
Yes, its compact, bushy habit makes it an excellent choice for containers. Just ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes and is placed in a location that receives full sun.
The spikes are suitable for cut flower arrangements and generally hold up well. For the longest vase life, cut the stems when the lower flowers on the spike are just beginning to open.
Yes, this variety is known for being long-blooming. You can encourage a tidy appearance and potentially more blooms by deadheading the spent flower spikes throughout the summer.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$15