Penstemon canescens, commonly called gray beardtongue or hoary beardtongue, is a charming perennial wildflower native to the eastern United States, where it grows naturally in dry open woods, rocky glades, roadsides, and well-drained slopes. Reaching about 1 to 3 feet tall, the plant has slender, upright stems that are softly coated with fine grayish hairs, giving it the hoary appearance reflected in its botanical name canescens. Its opposite leaves are lance-shaped and slightly downy, adding to the plant’s subtle texture. In late spring to early summer, Penstemon canescens produces airy spikes of tubular, lavender to pale purple flowers with delicately two-lipped petals, each bloom featuring a distinctive hairy staminode—the “beardtongue”—that attracts attention from pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds eagerly visit the blossoms, making this species an excellent addition to pollinator-friendly plantings. Adapted to sunny to partly shaded sites with dry, sandy, or rocky soils, it is a resilient and low-maintenance perennial for naturalized landscapes, native plant gardens, and meadow plantings. Its graceful form and soft flower color also lend a gentle beauty to cottage gardens and wildflower borders, while its ecological role supports local biodiversity.