Penstemon digitalis is a native of the tall grass prairies stretching from the upper Midwest down to north central Texas. It has white to pink flowers and is one of the few native beardtongues that are adaptable to garden conditions — in fact, it thrives under cultivation. It also has a relatively long blooming season and brightens the garden in early and mid-summer. In autumn, the glossy leaves turn a rich red. Various bees are the principal pollinators.

The United States is the center of distribution for the genus Penstemon. Most species are found in the arid and intermountain West, and favor perfectly drained soils and very low humidity.