Rocky mountain beardtongue
Penstemon strictus
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall1 to 3 feet wide
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Blue , purple
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Rocky mountain beardtongue (Penstemon strictus) is a perennial for borders and low maintenance gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to average, sandy, loamy, or chalky soil. Blue to purple flowers open in spring and again in summer, and they draw hummingbirds and bees. It spreads steadily by stolons to form large clumps over time. Deer tend to browse other plants first.
Pairs well with Powis Castle white sagebrush, Feverfew, and Switchgrass.
Native range
AZ, CO, NM, UT, and 1 more places. See all 5
AZ, CO, NM, UT, and WY.