Penstemons Native to the Mountain West

These showy species grow wild in thin, rocky soil and are perfect for sunny, waterwise gardens

I recently had the pleasure of direct a route trip across central and southern Colorado and Utah , exploring many of the rude wonders found in those two states . It was an extraordinary trip in which I name a multifariousness of geological features , ecosystems establish at different lift , and different impacts of drought . One of the most exciting parts of the misstep was seeing native plant thriving in the various landscapes . Some of the standouts were penstemons ( Penstemonspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) . They would on the face of it look out of nowhere as bright spots in some of the most desolate areas .

Penstemon diversity in the Mountain West

While there are over 200 specie of this perennial , it turns out that 62 of them are aboriginal to Colorado . Wow ! genus Penstemon are hump for their thermionic vacuum tube - shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies . The common name for these plants is beardtongue , a source to the tubular flowers that blaze up open , forming what looks like upper and lower lips .

Diversity within the genus

These hardy perennials do in a variety of colors , including bright blue , red , pink , blanched , and many shades in between . They also follow in a variety of sizes , from abject , matt - forming types to larger plant with tall spike of heyday . The even safe news is that they are xeric , tolerate our grease well , and are deer and hare repellent .

Here are some aboriginal penstemons that I saw on my journey .

Firecracker penstemon

P. eatonii , Zones 4–8

condition : Full Sunday to partial tincture ; well - drained soil

Mature size:18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 15 inches wide

Native orbit : Colorado , Utah , Arizona , New Mexico , Nevada , California

This evergreen penstemon has spikes of bright red flowers , as its common name intimate . It will produce in pretty harsh stipulation , as evidenced by the photo above . This species blooms from outflow through summertime .

Palmer’s penstemon

P. palmerii , zone 4–9

condition : Full Sunday ; well - debilitate soil

ripe size:3 to 4 foot improbable and 2 feet blanket

Native mountain chain : Utah , Idaho , Nevada , California , Arizona , New Mexico

This light pink to blank – bloom variety is super hardy and will reseed , as evidenced by the amount we discover at a state of matter park in southerly Utah ( photo above ) . It has a lovely , light fragrance .

Rocky Mountain penstemon

P. strictus , Zones 4–9

term : Full to partial sun ; well - drained soil

ripen size:24 to 30 inches marvellous and 36 inch wide

Native range : Wyoming , Colorado , Utah , New Mexico , Arizona

credibly the most recognisable native penstemon , Rocky Mountain genus Penstemon ’s undimmed bluish flowers put on quite a show in mid to late spring , look on your zone . This is a long - live variety that requires minimal care over the years .

— Michelle Provaznik is executive manager of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .

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Palmers penstemon

Palmer’s penstemon, with its abundant blooms, grows tall here in the dry, sandy earth of a Utah state park.Photo: Michelle Provaznik

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