Penstemon hirsutus Polygonella and the tight clump of

and the tight clump of 15" long

unless you're a perverted botanist

quite striking

dramatic white eye

tiny green leaves highlighted by dark purple sheaths

Penstemon hirsutus Polygonella and the tight clump ofPenstemon hirsutus is an amazing US East Coast US native that ranges from Maine south to Tennessee. In the garden, it forms a showy 2' tall x 4' wide clump, that explodes into flower in mid May (NC), with hundreds of small tubular lavender flowers, each with a large white, obviously enhanced lip. The foliage is hairy, the stalks are hairy, and the flowers are hairy. Perhaps we should check the roots. Although hairy beardtongue survives in light shade,