Penstemon, Rocky Mountain Beard Tongue Penstemon strictus Plant Height: 18 inches Flower Height: 30 inches Spacing: 14 inches
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Hardiness Zone: 3a Other Names: Beardtongue Description: A pretty, colorful variety producing long spires of large, royal blue-purple tubular flowers; makes a beautiful visual impact when massed in the garden, along walkways, or in borders; can take it dryer once established; easy to grow and low maintenance Ornamental Features Penstemon, Rocky Mountain Beard Tongue has masses of beautiful spikes of royal blue tubular flowers with purple overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season. Landscape Attributes Penstemon, Rocky Mountain Beard Tongue is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics. Penstemon, Rocky Mountain Beard Tongue is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Penstemon, Rocky Mountain Beard Tongue will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 30 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 30 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen! This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average conditions that are neither too wet nor too dry, and is very intolerant of standing water. To help this plant achive its best flowering performance, periodically apply a flower-boosting fertilizer from early spring through into the active growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division. Penstemon, Rocky Mountain Beard Tongue is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
