Penstemon laetus
Blue-flowered, drought-tolerant perennial native to California and Oregon, growing about 18–30 inches tall in temperate biomes, evergreen with lanceolate leaves, self-seeding to form larger colonies, and good for bird gardens while attracting bees and butterflies.
Common Names
Mountain Blue Penstemon, Gay Penstemon
Summary
Mountain blue penstemon is a perennial herb native to the inland mountains of California and Oregon. It grows erect to about 30 inches tall with a woody base, and bears linear to lanceolate leaves up to 4 inches long. The glandular inflorescence carries blue to purple tubular flowers up to 1.5 inches long, with a glandular exterior and a mostly hairless interior.
It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, including sandy or loamy substrates, and is drought-tolerant though benefits from occasional irrigation; drip irrigation during hot periods helps. It self-seeds to form colonies, adding a bright, massed display in suitable habitats.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
0.5-3 feet
Spread
19.5-24 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5-10
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun, tolerates partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained sandy or loamy soil, pH 6.0–8.0
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
6.0-8.0
Bloom Color
Blue to violet
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Gray-Green
Fall Foliage Color
Evergreen
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast to moderate growth
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Attracts birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- A.Gray
- Publication
- Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 7: 147 (1859)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus
- Penstemon
Inferior Taxa
Penstemon laetus var. laetus Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus
Synonyms
Penstemon laetus subsp. laetus Penstemon laetus subsp. typicus