Plant Finder

Other Names:  Beard Tongue

Brand:  radtke

Ornamental Features

Dark Towers Beardtongue has masses of beautiful spikes of white tubular flowers with a pink reverse rising above the foliage from early to mid summer, which emerge from distinctive violet flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive glossy narrow leaves emerge burgundy in spring, turning dark green in color with distinctive deep purple edges. The foliage often turns brown in fall. The deep purple stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Dark Towers Beardtongue is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Dark Towers Beardtongue is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Dark Towers Beardtongue will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Dark Towers Beardtongue is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

Sizes Available:

#1 CONT $18.99