Penstemon

( pen - STEEM - on )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus is filled with plants commonly called Beardtongue which need partial shade in the warmest climates of their zone range, and little to moderate water to perform well. The colorful, tubular flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. These plants are native to the West, in an area that begins in Mexico and stretches up to Canada. Some species will grow in high deserts, others in mountain settings; ensure that you are selecting a Beardtongue that will grow well in your zone. Flowers can come in red, blue, soft pink, salmon, peach, deep rose, lilac, dark purple, white, and yellow (though this color is very rare). They live for about three to four years before needing to be replaced. Grow Penstemon in mixed beds and borders, containers, or as members of pollinator, native, or informal gardens.

Penstemon Species and Varietals

There are about 280 species included in the genus Penstemon, which is a member of the plant family Plantaginaceae (the Plantain or Veronica Family). They are related to genera such as Angelonia, Antirrhinum, Collinsia, and Digitalis. The growing zones for these plants is USDA hardiness zones 3-9, though this will vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Penstemon acuminatus (Sharpleaf Penstemon, Sand-Dune Penstemon, Sand Penstemon, St. Joseph's Wand)
This species is native to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Nevada. It reaches two feet tall and produces fleshy green leaves. Flowers are blue-purple-pink and have wide throats. These plants prefer a sandy substrate, and is a great plant for revegetation of landscapes, as a garden ornamental, and as a disturbed-soil pioneer. Best in USDA zones 4-8.

Penstemon alamosensis (Alamo Beardtongue, Los Alamos Beardtongue, Alamo Canyon Beardtongue)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5a-9b or Sunset growing zones 3, 7-13, 18 and 19. It is native to Northern Mexico and reaches 2-3 feet tall and around a foot wide. Foliage is silvery-grey and wavy-edged, and flowers are coral, blooming in late springtime. These flowers are hummingbird favorites.

Penstemon albidus (White Penstemon, White-Flower Beardtongue, Red-Line Beardtongue)
These plants are widespread perennial wildflowers in prairies in North America. Flowers are bright white and attract bees and hummingbird moths. Individual plants reach between 6 and 20 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Best in USDA hardiness zones 3-7.

Penstemon albifluvis (White River Penstemon, White River Beardtongue)
This species is native to Utah and Colorado. It is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-8, and is rarely cultivated as an ornamental in gardens. Individual plants reach between 4 and 20 inches tall when in bloom. Flowers are blue to pale lavender in color, sometimes with light blue lobes.

Penstemon ambiguus (Prairie Penstemon, Sand Penstemon, Pink Plains Penstemon, Gilia Beardtongue, Bush Penstemon)
This species grows in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2, 3, 7-15 and 18-21. It is native to the south-central southwestern areas of the United States and forms a woody-based, shrubby plant. Leaves are narrow and greyish-green and white to pink flowers bloom in large clusters. This species needs heat and sandy soil to perform at its peak, and will spread via underground stems if conditions are favorable, forming clumps.

Penstemon anguineus (Siskiyou Beardtongue, Siskiyou Penstemon, Tongue-Leaved Penstemon)
This species is native to mountain regions in northern California and Oregon and is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. These herbaceous perennials reach 36 inches tall and produce green foliage and hairy stems. Flowers are purple to blue in color, forming in whorls around stems. Great choice for local pollinators.

Penstemon angustifolius (Broadbeard Beardtongue, Narrowleaf Beardtongue, Narrowleaf Penstemon, Sand Beardtongue)
These plants can reach between 2 and 24 inches tall when mature, and form a mound of basal green foliage. Stems are thick, waxy and greyish-green. Flowers range in color from pink to blue to lavender. They bloom from April through June in the plant's native range (central United States). Broadbeard Beardtongue grows well in USDA zones 4-8.

Penstemon arkansanus (Arkansas Beardtongue, Arkansas Penstemon)
This species of Beardtongue is native to Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois in the United States and is suited for USDA hardiness zones 5-8. These plants prefer to grow in sandy or rocky soils, reaching between 1-2 feet tall when mature. White flowers with purple interior venation are in bloom from May through early June.

Penstemon attenuatus (Sulphur Penstemon, Taperleaf Beardtongue, Taper-Leaf Beardtongue, Small Penstemon, South Idaho Penstemon)
Individual plants in this species reach up to 36 inches tall and produce dark green foliage. Flowers are tubular and vary in color from blue to pink or purple, and can also be yellow or white depending on the variety. These plants prefer to grow in dry meadows or moist woods, and are commonly grown as garden ornamentals and used for revegetation purposes. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Penstemon azureus (Azure Penstemon, Blue Penstemon)
This species is native to areas in Oregon and northern California. It forms a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to about 30 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Leaves are green and linear or lance-shaped, and flowers are tubular and deep blue to lavender. Azure Penstemon is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.

Penstemon barbatus (Scarlet Bugler, Golden-Beard Penstemon, Beardlip Penstemon, Bearded Penstemon, Beardtongue, Varita de San Jose, St. Joseph's Staff)
This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-20 and needs some cold weather during the winter months to perform well. It is native to an area that includes the mountain ranges in Colorado and Utah, southward to Mexico. It has an open habit and grows to 3 feet tall and a foot wide with bright green leaves. Flowers are red in the true species and form in large, loose spikes from late spring or mid-summer through the first frost of the year. There are many cultivars of this species with differing flower colors, including pink and yellow. Choice garden varieties are listed below:

'Elfin Pink'
Clear pink flowers on a 1 foot tall plant.

'Rose Elf'
With deep rose-colored blossoms on a 2.5 foot tall plant.

'Schooley's Yellow'
Lemon-yellow flowers on a 2 foot tall plant.

Penstemon barnebyi (White River Valley Beardtongue, Barneby's Beardtongue, Barneby's Penstemon)
This species of Beardtongue is native to Nevada and California (best in USDA zones 4-9) and forms a foot-tall herbaceous plant with lance-shaped green leaves. Flowers are tubular and light purple to pink with purple-striped white throats that have yellow beards.

Penstemon bicolor (Pinto Beardtongue, Pinto Penstemon, Two-Color Beardtongue, Rosy Bicolored Beardtongue)
These plants are native to desert mountains and valleys in Nevada, California, and Arizona. Plants typically reach over 40 inches tall and have thick, serrated leaves, some of which are fused around their bases. Flowers are tubular and bicolored yellow and pink. Subspecies roseus produces deeper pink flowers. Pinto Beardtongue grows well in USDA zones 8a-10b.

Penstemon brevisepalus (Short-Sepaled Beardtongue)
These plants produce pale lavender flowers that bloom in late springtime, and are native to the eastern United States. They prefer to grow in woodlands, prairies, and rock outcrops in acidic soil. At maturity, they can reach up to 8.5 and 23.5 inches tall. Short-Sepaled Beardtongue grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-8.

Penstemon californicus (California Penstemon, California Beardtongue)
These plants are native to California and Baja California, Mexico and are suited for USDA hardiness zones 8a-8b. They prefer to grow in woodland and forest habitats, and reach between 3 and 12 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Flowers are purple-pink and tubular. Great for native gardens and pollinator beds or containers.

Penstemon cardinalis (Cardinal Beardtongue, Cardinal Penstemon, Scarlet Penstemon, Guadalupe Penstemon, Royal Red Penstemon)
This species of Penstemon grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2, 3 and 7-24. Plants are native to southern New Mexico and Texas, and grow to reach 2.5 feet tall and a little less wide. Foliage is leathery and dark green, and flowers are dark red; a favorite of hummingbirds.

Penstemon centranthifolius (Scarlet Bugler)
This species is native to California coastal mountain ranges and some parts of Mexico and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-10b or Sunset growing zones 7-23. It reaches 2-3 feet tall and 1.5-2 feet wide, with gray, waxy leaves and red flowers. Hummingbirds will frequent this plant in the landscape.

Penstemon clevelandii (Cleveland's Beardtongue, Cleveland Penstemon, San Jacinto Beardtongue, Mojave Beardtongue)
These plants are native to southern California and Baja California, Mexico, where they grow in scrub, woodland, and chaparral landscapes. These upright plants reach 28 inches tall and produce pink to magenta flowers. Cleveland's Beardtongue is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 8a-9b.

Penstemon clutei (Sunset Penstemon, Sunset Crater Beardtongue, Sunset Crater Pemstemon)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4a-8b or Sunset growing zones 2, 3, 7-14 and 18-21. It is native to northern Arizona and reaches 2.5-3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Leaves are blue-grey and flowers are pink. This plant will bloom from late spring through to late summertime and is frequented by hummingbirds. Can self-sow under ideal conditions.

Penstemon cobaea (Wild Foxglove, Wild Snapdragon, Foxglove Penstemon, Cobaea Beardtongue, Prairie Beardtongue, Dew Flower, Large-Flowered Penstemon)
This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or Sunset growing zones 2-11 and 14-24, and is native to the plains of Nebraska through to Texas. It reaches 1-2 feet tall and 1 foot wide, with dark green leaves and flowers in shades of white, pink, lavender and purple. Blooms appear in late spring or summer. This is a long-lived species that needs regular water.

Penstemon comarrhenus (Dusty Beardtongue, Dusty Penstemon, Hairy Beardtongue)
These plants reach between 1 and 4 feet tall when in bloom, and produces pale blue to pink flowers in spring and summertime, typically from May through July. This species of Beardtongue is native to the southwestern United States and is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6.

Penstemon davidsonii (Davidson's Penstemon, Davidson's Beardtongue, Timberline Beardtongue, Creeping Penstemon, Creeping Beardtongue)
This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-8 or Sunset growing zones 1-7, 14 and 15. It is native to the Sierra Nevada Mountains up to British Columbia and forms a mat to just 4-8 inches tall and 1.5 feet wide. Leaves are small and dark green and flowers are violet-blue and bloom in the middle of summertime. This species prefers a dusting of snow in wintertime and needs regular water.

Penstemon debilis (Parachute Penstemon, Parachute Beardtongue)
This is one of the rarest plants in North America, and is native to western Colorado. These are small, low-growing plants with mint green foliage. Flowers are light lavender. These plants do well in rocky soils, and can add interest to rock gardens. They grow well in USDA zones 3-5.

Penstemon digitalis (Talus Slope Penstemon, White Beardtongue, Foxglove Beardtongue, Smooth White Beardtongue, Mississippi Penstemon)
This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 or Sunset growing zones 1-9 and 14-24, and is native to the eastern and central regions of the United States. This plant reaches 3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide at maturity, with long green leaves and white or pale pink flowers that bloom in clusters in summertime. Can tolerate some heat and humidity, and needs regular water. Cultivars include 'Husker Red' (to 2-3 feet tall with maroon colored foliage and pink-white flowers) and 'Dark Towers' (pictured; with burgundy-green leaves and light pink flowers to 2.5-3 feet tall and wide).

Penstemon eatonii (Eaton's Penstemon, Firecracker Penstemon, Firecracker Beardtongue)
These bright-flowered plants are native to the western United States, where it grows in a number of different habitats, including desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau. They are suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Brilliant red flowers are narrow and cylindrical. Leaves are lance-shaped and green, and the plant has a sprawling to erect habit, reaching between 1 and 3 feet tall at maturity.

Penstemon floridus (Panamint Beardtongue, Rose Penstemon, Austin's Beardtongue)
These plants are native to California and Nevada, where it grows in canyons and sagebrush landscapes. They reach a little over three feet tall when mature, and have thick green leaves that are somewhat wavy-edged. Flowers are bright pink and have darker markings on their interior. Best in USDA hardiness zones 6a-8a.

Penstemon fructiformis (Death Valley Beardtongue, Death Valley Penstemon, Desert Beardtongue)
These plants are native to Death Valley in eastern California and western Nevada, and are suited for USDA hardiness zones 6-9. They are spreading, multibranched plants that reach between 12 and 24 inches tall. Leaves are thick and lance-shaped, and flowers are pale pinkish-lavender.

Penstemon grahamii (Uinta Basin Beardtongue, Graham's Beardtongue, Graham Beardtongue)
This species reaches up to 8 inches tall when in bloom, and is native to Utah and Colorado. Leaves are thick, leathery and dark green-grey. Upper leaves clasp stems. Tubular flowers are pink to lavender with reddish nectar guides. Yellow hairs protrude from the mouth of each flower. Uinta Basin Beardtongue is suited for USDA zone 5.

Penstemon hartwegii (Hartweg's Beardtongue, Scarlet Beard-Tongue, Tubular Bells)
These plants are native to Mexico, and produce striking bright red, purple, or crimson flowers in summer and fall each year. The species forms a bushy semi-evergreen plant to 12-28 inches tall. Leaves are simple, fleshy and green. Hartweg's Beardtongue grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10.

Penstemon haydenii (Blowout Penstemon, Blowout Beardtongue, Hayden's Penstemon)
These plants are warm-season perennials that grow naturally in Wyoming. Plants have pale purple leaves. Flowers bloom from May through June and are blue-pink. Seeds from this species can be dormant for decades. Blowout Penstemon is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-6.

Penstemon heterodoxus (Sierra Beardtongue, Sierra Penstemon, Shasta Beardtongue)
These plants are native to California and Nevada, growing in mountain ranges, slopes and plateaus. Individual plants reach up to 2 feet tall, but are also seen in prostrate form as a low, spreading mat of foliage. Flowers are dark blue to purple. Sierra Beardtongue is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Penstemon heterophyllus (Foothill Penstemon, Bunchleaf Penstemon, Foothill Beardtongue)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 7-24 and is native to California. It has blue-green foliage and spikes of reddish purple to deep blue blooms that appear in spring and early summer. The flowers attract bees to the landscape. Popular ornamental cultivars are outlined below.

'Catherine de la Mare'
Reaches 1-1.5 feet tall and about two times as wide, with purple-blue flowers.

'Margarita BOP'
1.5-2 foot tall, 2-3 foot wide plant, with sky blue flowers that age to purple.

Penstemon heterophyllus purdyi
Dark green foliage and rose-lavender to blue flowers.

Penstemon janishiae (Antelope Valley Beardtongue, Janish's Beardtongue)
These plants are native to California, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada, and grows in a number of different habitats in its range. Flowers are wide-mouthed and range in color from purple to lavender to blue. Throats are dark-lined and mouths have protruding yellow or bright orange hairs. This species is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Penstemon monoensis (Mono Penstemon, Mono Beardtongue)
Endemic to the White and Inyo Mountains of eastern California, these rare plants produce gray-green foliage and grow to reach about 12 inches tall when in bloom. Leaves and stems are covered in dense hairs. Flowers are bright to deep pink in color, and may have a white or pale area around the throat with protruding hairs.

Penstemon multiflorus (Many-Flower Penstemon, Many-Flower Beardtongue, White Beardtongue)
These plants reach between 1.5 and 2.5 feet tall when in bloom, and produce white flowers that have a slight rose-colored blush to them. They are native to a range that spans the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Foliage is green and flowering stems can range in color from wine red to true green. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 8-10.

Penstemon newberryi (Newberry's Penstemon, Mountain Pride, Pride-of-the-Mountains, Beardtongue)
These flowering perennials are native to mountain ranges in California, Nevada, and Oregon and are suited for USDA hardiness zones 5-9. They typically are seen in rocky habitats at high elevations, and form a bushy mat of a subshrub reaching up to a foot tall. Leaves are mostly basal. Flowers can grow to reach over an inch in length and are tubular to funnel-shaped. Bloom color is magenta. This was the favorite flower of famous naturalist John Muir, and is named for American geologist and botanist John Strong Newberry.

Penstemon palmeri (Palmer's Penstemon, Scented Penstemon, Scented Beardtongue, Palmer's Beardtongue)
This species is native to the western United States and is considered a great drought-tolerant perennial planting. It can reach a height of six and a half feet tall when in bloom. Flower inflorescences are tall, and flowers themselves are quite showy. Petals are blue-pink and blooms are fragrant. Occasionally, flowers are seen in red, yellow or white. This species is well-suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Penstemon pinifolius (Pine-Leaved Penstemon, Pine-Needle Beardtongue, Arizona Beardtongue, Pineleaf Penstemon)
Native to southern New Mexico Arizona and best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-24; this woody-based plant reaches 1.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with bright green, needle-like leaves and summertime reddish orange flowers. Great for a small-area groundcover, for rock gardens, or for borders. Great with or without waterings. Cultivars include 'Mersea Yellow' (1 foot tall and 1.5 feet wide with soft yellow flowers) and 'Shades of Mango' (a 15-inch tall plant with orange and yellow flowers).

Penstemon pseudospectabilis (Desert Beard Tongue, Desert Penstemon, Mojave Beardtongue, Rosy Beardtongue, Perfoliate Penstemon)
This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2, 3, 10 and 12-21 and is native to the southern California mountains and Arizona. It has a shrubby upright habit and 2-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Leaves are blue-green and flowers are rose-pink to purple, blooming in spring through summer. This is a long-lived species that is easy to grow.

Penstemon richardsonii (Cutleaf Beardtongue, Richardson's Beardtongue, Richardson's Penstemon)
Grows in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-10 and 14-21, and is native to the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and British Colombia). This plant has a woody base and reaches 1.5 feet tall and wide. Foliage is blue-green and flowers are rose, pink, lavender, or white and bloom in summertime. Can tolerate some shade and may self-sow.

Penstemon rupicola (Rock Penstemon, Cliff Beardtongue, Cliff Penstemon)
This species grows in USDA hardiness zones 4a-8b or Sunset growing zones 2-7 and 14-17, reaching 4 inches tall and 1.5 feet wide, with trailing stems. Leaves are bluish green, and toothed. Flowers bloom in spring and summer and are rose. Great for rock gardens or spaces in walls. Variety 'Albus' needs some shade for best performance. This species is native to the Cascade Mountains and the Siskiyou Mountains.

Penstemon spectabilis (Royal Beard Tongue, Showy Penstemon, Royal Penstemon)
This species, native to Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, is best in USDA hardiness zones 7-11 or Sunset growing zones 7 and 14-23, and reaches 3-4.5 feet tall and wide, with green or greyish leaves and rose to purple flowers that bloom in springtime and early summer.

Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Porch Penstemon, Strict Beardtongue, Toadflax Beardtongue)
These herbaceous perennial plants produce flowering stalks that rise from a thick crown of green foliage. Leaves are long and narrow, and flowers are deep blue to violet. Rocky Mountain Penstemon is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.

Penstemon tracyi (Trinity Penstemon, Tracy's Beardtongue)
Endemic to Trinity County in northern California, these plants are considered imperiled. There are about 10 populations still present in the Trinity Alps of the Klamath Mountains. These squat perennial plants reach no more than 5 inches tall when in bloom, and produce flowering stems from a basal tuft of green foliage. Flowers are tubular and pink. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6.

Penstemon whippleanus (Dusky Penstemon, Dusky Beardtongue, Whipple's Penstemon, Whipple's Beardtongue)
These summer-bloomers are native to the Rocky Mountains where they grow at high elevations. Plants typically reach between 8 and 26 inches tall when in bloom. Leaves are green, and flowers are gothic black-purple, but can also be violet, blue, and creamy white. Flowers have nectar guides that are white or lavender colored in dark forms and purple in light-colored forms. Lower lips of flowers have white hairs. 'Chocolate Drop' is a cultivar with particularly dark flowers.

Caring for Penstemon

Penstemon, or Beardtongue, plants can be direct-sown in the garden, grown from seed started in a greenhouse or indoors, or purchased as a specimen from a reputable nursery. Choose a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, Penstemon plants like to get between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day to flower and grow well. If grown in too much shade, they tend to become leggy and floppy or droopy. Ensure that soil is well-draining, lean nutrient-wise, and has a pH that is neutral to slightly alkaline. They thrive in rocky to sandy soil types, but can also grow well in regular garden soil, provided it does not hold too much water and is not overly fertile. Avoid manure fertilizers; compost is alright. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area after installation to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants can tolerate drought, but about an inch of water per week in the summertime is ideal for vigorous growth and flowering.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple for Penstemon plants; remove spent flower spikes down to the base of the plant to clean it up and encourage more bloom production. If you plan on saving seeds, make sure to leave a few stalks on the plant to mature. Most Penstemon plants are generally short-lived perennials, lasting for between 3 and 5 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced, though there are some species that can last for over a decade with proper care.

Propagation

The best way to propagate these flowering plants is by harvesting and sowing seed. Penstemon is known for reseeding freely in the garden (if it is not deadheaded), and volunteer plants can easily be dug up and placed elsewhere if necessary. To intentionally propagate Penstemon flowers through their seeds, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Penstemon by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on Penstemon plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded, still attached to the stems, and are typically brown when ready to be harvested. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to release seeds. Once seeds have all been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 14-21 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.