Foxglove beardtongue outside Phipps Conservatory, 22 May 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) 26 May 2026 This month tall stands of white flowers are blooming in many Pittsburgh gardens including Schenley Plaza and at Phipps Conservatory. Chosen for its beauty, foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) has a weird name and an important characteristic: Deer don’t eat it. Originally native to the Mississippi River basin it’s been planted widely in eastern North America. According to Wikipedia it is now the most widespread species of Penstemon east of the Mississippi River. Range map of Penstemon digitalis (PEDI) from Wikimedia Commons Its weird common and scientific names repeat each other. The flower resembles a Foxglove in the Digitalis genus. It has four active stamens (black tips in this photo) and a fifth false stamen (Penstemon) that has hairs on it (beardtongue). Closeup of foxglove beardtongue flower, 22 May 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) The genus name Penstemon … may also come from…
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