Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Penstemon strictus

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
Plant Description: Beautiful, spring blooming perennial native to the western United States. Grows from a basal rosette with spoon shaped leaves. Upright stems bear lance-shaped leaves. Bears tall spikes of abundant blue to purple flowers in late spring to early summer. Attractive foliage holds its own when out of bloom. Very drought tolerant. Needs well-drained soils.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Perennial - Herbaceous
Plant Care: Perennial - Herbaceous (soft-stemmed plants that die back in winter and regrow in spring): Remove spent blooms to promote rebloom later. Some plants tend to flop over after the first bloom and attempt to regrow from the base; in these cases, the old stems can be cut away in summer. As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 24" tall x 36" wide
Utah Native: Yes
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Infill Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Green
Bloom Colors: Blue, Purple
Bloom Seasons: Early Summer, Late Spring
Bloom Period: May - Jun

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Unknown

Garden Location:

  • Localscapes Path
    • Paths and Pollinators
  • Neighborhood Landscapes
    • Prudent Perennials
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter