Western U.S. native · Penstemon strictus
Blue-violet flower spires for sunny rock gardens and western meadows.
Blue-violet spires for sunny, well-drained ground. Rocky Mountain Penstemon brings upright clusters of tubular flowers to western meadows, rock gardens, and naturalistic borders. This native perennial welcomes visiting bees and handles dry conditions once established. Give it good drainage and time to develop: the fuller flowering display usually begins in its second season.
Buy directly from Paper Street
Free U.S. shipping at $35+. Eligible lightweight orders under $35 can ship by Economy tracked mail for $2.95; other sub-$35 orders ship for $5.95. Use code BUMBLEBEES for 5% off when you buy 2 or more eligible non-packet ready-made seed items. The items may be the same or different. Seed packets, Seed Studio custom mixes and stickers do not qualify and are not discounted. Packets still count toward $35 free shipping. Product-specific discounts do not stack; the better discount applies.
Blue-violet perennial flowers
Blue-violet spires for sunny, well-drained ground. Rocky Mountain Penstemon brings upright clusters of tubular flowers to western meadows, rock gardens, and naturalistic borders. This native perennial welcomes visiting bees and handles dry conditions once established. Give it good drainage and time to develop: the fuller flowering display usually begins in its second season.
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
What to Expect
A perennial, usually 24–36 inches tall, with late-spring to early-summer blue-violet blooms. Expect establishment first and stronger flowering from the second growing season. Some seed may germinate in a later season.
How to Plant
Before broadcasting, thoroughly mix this individual seed with dry sand, vermiculite, or another clean, dry carrier. A carrier is strongly recommended for most individual species and is especially important for small or lightweight seed. Fall sow for natural winter chilling, or cold-moist stratify for 8–12 weeks before spring sowing. Dormancy varies by seed lot. For outdoor direct sowing, prepare bare, weed-free soil, mix the small seed with clean dry sand or another carrier, sow evenly, and cover lightly about 1/8 inch; do not exceed 1/4 inch. Press gently and keep appropriately moist during establishment without waterlogging. For container propagation, press seed onto the surface of well-drained growing medium before chilling. Avoid heavy fertilizer and wet crowns.
Read the complete planting guide →Give it the right ground
Plant among rocks, through a western meadow, or along a sunny border. Lean, well-drained soil suits this perennial; persistent wetness does not. Water through establishment, then adjust to your local weather and soil.
A perennial takes time
Expect a developing planting rather than instant annual color. Cold weather helps seed dormancy, and the strongest flowering usually develops from the second season.
Plant with confidence