Penstemon strictus
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Rocky Mountain Beardtongue
Strict Beardtongue
Plant Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Flower:
Purple
Blooms :
May
to:
Jun
Multiple spires of large, royal-blue to purple tubular flowers with two upper lobes that project forward over the lower lips? three deeply cut lobes.
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
No
Foliage:
Green
Evergreen
Jan Even
Low mats of foliage with paired leaves that range from narrow and grass-like to broad and lance-shaped
Oregon Native?
No
West State Native?
Yes
Southern WY to northern NM & northeastern AZ
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
No
Firewise?
Yes
Height:
2-3'
Spread:
3'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Subalpine to valley sagebrush & conifer forests; Rocky Mountain penstemon is often associated with sagebrush in pinyon-juniper woodland, oak scrub,
and openings of ponderosa pine and spruce-aspen
forest from 2200 to 3200 m in elevation.
Soil:
Though this penstemon tolerates heavy soils and moisture better than most members of the genus, it prefers dry, light, well-drained soils.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Mulch:
Long Term:
Winter:
Leave some stems for frost protection and mulch with straw in winter, if necessary.
Spring:
Pruning is not necessary, but can be cut back in early spring.
Summer:
Deadheading will encourage reblooming and more vigorous growth.
Fall:
Common Problems
Diseases:
Disease problems are minimal except under irrigation. Under irrigation, fusarium wilt can be a problem. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=Penstemon-Root+Rot
Insects:
Also called: