Penstemon digitalis is belonging to Plantaginaceae family. It is native to eastern Canada, eastern and southeastern United States. This species is indigenous to dry or humid prairie, savannas, opens floodplain or woodland edges. Genus name comes from the Greek words penta; five and stemon; stamen in reference to each flower having five stamens. Four stamens are fertile and one is sterile. Digitalis comes from the Latin digitus meaning finger for flowers that look like the finger of a glove. Penstemon called Beard Tongue because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.

Penstemon digitalis ’Husker Red’ is an upright clumping, rhizomatous, herbaceous, perennial cultivar of penstemon. It was discovered by Dr. Dale Lindgren, a mathematician turned horticulturist, from the University of Nebraska.  Lindgren found a reddish Penstemon digitalis seedling, after spending 8 years refining the selection; ‘Husker Red’ introduced in 1983. The cultivar was chosen for its deep maroon foliage, floriferous nature and extreme hardiness. It is one of the few penstemons that does well in wet winters and hot, humid summers.

In spring, deep purple leafy stems emerge from clustered red-purple winter rosettes of. Beard Tongue.  The mature leaves are glossy and maroon.  They are opposite with pointed tips and narrowly elliptical shape. Basal leaves are elliptic and stem leaves are lance-shaped to oblong. Blooming occurs in late spring or early summer by 80-100 cm stems adorned by panicles of white blooms for about a month. The flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Florets are followed by small capsules containing many tiny seed.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ flourishes in sunny sites with average but well drained soil. Plants tolerate clay loam, sand, heat and drought. Propagation is done by seed, division or from cuttings. It is hardy to – 30˚C. No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf spots are occasional problems.

The Perennial Plant Association chose the ‘Husker Red’ cultivar of Penstemon digitalis; Perennial Plant of the Year at 1996.

LANDSCAPE USES: Rich bronze-red foliage accents provide a particularly striking contrast to masses of white flowers. Beard Tongue is a good choice for a wildlife garden, cut flower garden, or cottage garden. Plants are also used as butterfly nectar plants or as part of a grouping or mass planting. In mild climates attractive rosettes provide winter interest.  Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ has showy blooms and also is appropriate for water-wise landscapes, low maintenance plantings and perennial borders. The maroon foliage is a wonderful color accent in the garden. It is as effective in the perennial border as it is in the wildflower garden.  For a stunning display, ‘Husker Red’ should be planted in groups.

Besides its attributes as a landscape plant, Penstemon is also a good cut flower.