How To Order: Quantity options listed represent bulk weights. Examples: 1 = 1 lbs, 25 = 25 bs.
 
 
Common Name: Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Scientific Name: Penstemon strictus
Native / Introduced: Native
Main Uses:
~Ornamental
~Revegetate disturbed sites
~Wildlife habitat improvement
Height:  1-3 feet
Colors:  Blue-violet
Flowering Season: May-July
Soil Types: Rocky, gravelly, sandy-loam soils
Tolerances: Weak acid and alkali
Sun or Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Minimum Precipitation: 11-13 inches
Lifecycle: Perennial
Planting Seed Rate: 1.5-3 lbs/acre
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 285,000
Optimal Planting Season: Fall
Planting Depth: 1/8 - 1/4 inches
Stratification Requirements: Cold for 2-3 months at 40 degrees if planting in the spring
 
Description
Rocky Mountain Penstemon is a beautiful plant that blooms in early summer with blue-violet flowers. It is well adapted to much of the mountainous western United States, and it thrives on rocky, gravelly, and sandy-loam soils on foothills, mid-mountain slopes, and in open wooded areas up to sub alpine elevations. The plant is also tolerant of weekly acid and alkali. It prefers full sun or partial shade and is semi-evergreen, with moderately palatable forage.
 
In addition to being a beautiful ornamental plant, Rocky Mountain Penstemon is highly valued for revegetation of disturbed sites, such as those affected by mining or other development activities. The plant's extensive root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making it useful for slope stabilization and soil conservation. Rocky Mountain Penstemon is also a popular choice for range and wildlife habitat improvement projects, as it provides valuable forage for many wildlife species, including birds and bees. The plant's showy flowers are attractive to pollinators, making it an important contributor to local ecosystems.
 
Resources
NRCS Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PEST2
NRCS Plant Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_pest2.pdf
Additional Resources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=pest2
 
Photo Credit: Andrey Zharkikh