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Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain penstemon)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.8m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Penstemon strictus
Other names
Rocky Mountain penstemon, Rocky Mountain beardtongue
Genus
Penstemon Penstemon
Species
P. strictus - P. strictus is an upright, bushy, evergreen perennial with lance-shaped, stem-clasping, semi-glossy, dark green leaves and panicles of tubular, violet to blue flowers from late spring into summer.
Penstemon strictus is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Bushy, Upright
Flower
Blue, Violet in Spring; Blue, Violet in Summer
Foliage
Flushed purple in Winter; Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Eelworms (leaf and bud) , Slugs , Snails Eelworms (leaf and bud) , Slugs , Snails
Downy mildew Downy mildew
General care
Pruning
Deadhead after flowers to maintain vigour. Cut back to base in late autumn or early winter.
Propagation methods
Division, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain penstemon) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Rock, Low Maintenance, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, City, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Protect with a thick, dry mulch in winter in colder areas. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Penstemon strictus
Other names
Rocky Mountain penstemon, Rocky Mountain beardtongue
Genus
Penstemon Penstemon
Species
P. strictus - P. strictus is an upright, bushy, evergreen perennial with lance-shaped, stem-clasping, semi-glossy, dark green leaves and panicles of tubular, violet to blue flowers from late spring into summer.
Native to
Southwestern United States
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Bushy, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Blue, Violet in Spring; Blue, Violet in Summer
Foliage
Flushed purple in Winter; Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Eelworms (leaf and bud) , Slugs , Snails
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Deadhead after flowers to maintain vigour. Cut back to base in late autumn or early winter.
Propagation methods
Division, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain penstemon) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Rock, Low Maintenance, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, City, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Protect with a thick, dry mulch in winter in colder areas. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By Devon garden designer Tom Simpson. The garden, designed by Tom, aged 28 from Kingswear near Dartmouth, showcases many of the attributes of a sustainable rain garden, treating water as a precious… read more
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