Hairy beard-tongue? Yes, it’s a real thing, and it’s a flower you can actually go and hand-pick on a few u-pick farms in the Netherlands, from June to August with a peak in July. The flower itself is a cheerful, tubular beauty in lavender to pale purple, with a fuzzy little “tongue” sticking out that bees absolutely adore. Picking it is half the fun: you get to wander through rows of these upright stems, snipping them just above a leaf node with scissors or garden shears. Cut the flower spikes when one or two blooms are open, and leave at least half of the spikes on the plant. Go in the morning, once the dew has dried. Bring a basket, some friends, maybe a child who can be entrusted with the scissors (or not), and make a morning of it. The flowers are delicate, so carry them gently.
Once you’re home, here’s how to use them:
The flowers of hairy beard-tongue (Penstemon hirsutus) are edible and mildly sweet, so you can scatter a few over a salad as a garnish. This applies only to this species: not all Penstemon are edible, and the leaves and stems are bitter. Mostly, though, it’s a flower for decoration:
- Simple vase magic: Recut the stems at an angle under water, strip off the lower leaves, and drop them into a tall, clear vase. Change the water daily and remove wilted blooms to keep the bunch fresh. They look fantastic on their own, with those little fuzzy tongues reaching out like they’re trying to hear a secret.
- Wildflower bouquet mix: Pair them with cornflowers, daisies, or a few sprigs of lavender. The beard-tongue adds height and texture, and its fuzzy stamens make every arrangement feel slightly playful.
- Dried flower craft: Hang a bunch upside down in a dark, dry spot for two weeks. Dried, they are perfect for a wreath or a winter arrangement that reminds you of sunny Dutch fields.
- Table centerpiece: Float a few individual blossoms in a shallow bowl of water with a candle in the middle. It’s simple, elegant, and lets you stare at those fuzzy tongues up close while you eat.