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Cobaea Beardtongue

Penstemon cobaea (PEN-stem-on ko-BEE-uh)

Family: Plantaginaceae Unknown Herbaceous

Wildlife Value: Members of the genus Penstemon support the specialized bee Osmia (Melanosmia) distincta. More information on Penstemon .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 18 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Wildflower
Life cycle
Perennial
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Downy, clasping leaves
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
White to deep purple flowers
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Attracts
Pollinators; Specialized Bees
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#specialized bees #pollinator plant #bee friendly #wildlife friendly #moth friendly

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.