Perennial
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
Tubular flowers hummingbirds can't resist. A Western native star for lean, dry soil.
- Pollinator
- Hummingbird
- Native
- Deer-resistant
- Evergreen
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–9
- Water
- Very low once established
- Sun
- Full sun to Part sun
- Size
- 18–30 in. tall × 12–24 in. wide
- Bloom & interest
- Blue to violet tubular flowers on upright spikes, late spring to early summer
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Native range
- Native to the southern Rocky Mountains (CO, UT, WY, NM, AZ)
Why we recommend it
A tough Western native with vivid blue spikes, near-zero water needs once established, and outstanding value for bees and hummingbirds, making it the archetypal xeriscape perennial.
Best regions: Front RangeHigh DesertGreat BasinSouthwest
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water weekly the first summer only; established plants need little or no supplemental water and rot if kept moist.
Pruning
Cut flower stalks after bloom unless you want it to self-sow; leave the semi-evergreen basal leaves in winter.
Soil
Lean, fast-draining gravelly or sandy soil. Do not amend or fertilize; mulch with gravel, not bark.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Rocky Mountain Penstemon from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
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