Penstemon australis, commonly known as Eustis Lake Beardtongue, is a perennial herb native to open pine woodlands and sandy scrublands of the Southeastern United States. This plant is typically deciduous but can be semi-deciduous in warmer climates. It reaches a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 0.8-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). The Eustis Lake Beardtongue has narrow, lance-shaped leaves and produces tubular flowers that are predominantly lavender to pink with a white throat, blooming profusely in the late spring and early summer. The flowers are quite showy and attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds.

Eustis Lake Beardtongue is valued for its drought tolerance and its ability to thrive in poor, well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings. It is often used in borders, rock gardens, and native plant gardens. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium to high amounts of water, although it is quite drought-tolerant once established. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage a second bloom and prevent self-seeding, which can be prolific under ideal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0