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Prairie Penstemon
Prairie Penstemon botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Prairie Penstemon

Penstemon cobaea

Honeybees are drawn to Prairie Penstemon for its nectar-rich tubular flowers and accessible pollen, especially valuable in late spring when floral resources begin to dwindle. Peak bloom hits in May through June, supporting foraging during a transitional period. This upright perennial thrives in full sun and dry soils, remaining tidy without staking or deer protection needs in most prairie settings.

Nectarhigh
Pollenmedium
BloomMay–July
USDA zones4-8
TypePerennial
Sunfull
NativeCentral and Southern United States
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