On a visit to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning, I found that the refuge had settled into its summer mode. Though I encountered a pleasing mix of summer wildlife, the highlight of my visit was provided by foxglove beard-tongue, a common wildflower throughout central and eastern North America.
Large swaths of this wildflower adorned the uncultivated fields, glowing in the brief episodes of morning sunshine. Characterized by clusters of tubular, white flowers atop a 3-5 foot stem, this native plant attracts a wide variety of pollinators, from honey bees to hummingbirds; in fact, it is named for a "hairy" stamen that likely evolved to attract them. Foxglove beard-tongue is not a true foxglove (the source of digitalis) but was named Penstemon digitalis due to its foxglove-like flowers.
Foxglove beard-tongue has become a popular addition to suburban gardens. It is hardy, drought tolerant and, perhaps best of all, shunned by deer!
