Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue
Penstemon strictus
Rocky Mountain Beardtongue, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Stiff Beard-tongue
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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
The Penstemon strictus is a hardy perennial botanical species native to high-altitude prairies in Colorado and Wyoming, where it grows in the sun on rocky, well-drained soils. In summer, this highly floriferous plant forms a beautiful cluster of slender stems covered in bright blue-violet flowers that stand out in flower beds and a not-too-arid rock garden. More tolerant than others, this penstemon is relatively easy to acclimatise in gardens, planted in well-drained soil, and occasionally moist to dry. It should mainly thrive in medium mountain gardens.
The Penstemon strictus is a bushy perennial plant belonging to the scrophulariaceae family, like foxgloves and snapdragons. Like many penstemons, it is native to the mountainous regions of North America, specifically the southwest United States, for this strictus species. While it tolerates some humidity in summer (in well-drained soil), intense cold combined with excessive humidity is detrimental. The plant first forms a rosette of elongated, thin, glossy green leaves that persist in winter. Solid, vertical, leafy stems rise in spring, forming a cluster of about 60 cm (24in) in all directions. These sparsely branched, green-coloured stems bear small lanceolate leaves of a vivid colour, which more or less persist in winter, depending on the climate. Flowering occurs from May to June to July to August, which is more or less early, depending on the environment. It develops at the terminal part of the leafy stems. The slightly trailing flowers, tubular at the base and 3 cm (1in) long, are densely clustered. They have a particularly vibrant colour, tinged with violet and indigo.
The penstemon or strictus beardtongue is used in rock gardens, flower beds, or borders, among perennials such as agapanthus, gaillardias, and catmints, with ground cover roses or mixed with annuals such as love-in-a-mist and cosmos. It pairs particularly well with the acidic green tones of lady's mantle and spurge. Penstemons are also cultivated in pots with fertiliser and water and make excellent cut flowers.
Penstemon strictus - Beardtongue in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Penstemon
strictus
Scrophulariaceae (Plantaginaceae)
Rocky Mountain Beardtongue, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Stiff Beard-tongue
North America
Planting and care
The hardiness of Penstemon strictus is excellent. It can withstand temperatures lower than -15 °C (5°F), provided the soil is very well-drained. It also tolerates some humidity in summer, but only in well-drained soil. However, this montane species does not appreciate heatwaves or excessively hot climates.
To successfully grow penstemons, the nature of the soil is crucial. They prefer rather rich soils that are not too dry in summer but very well-drained. In excessively wet soils, they rot quickly. Cultivation in warmer regions is often disappointing, especially for botanical species. In cool climates, place the plants in a warm and sunny location sheltered from cold winds (south or west exposure). In hot climates, choose a rather cool and semi-shaded exposure. In very cold regions, taking stem cuttings in autumn is advisable.
Penstemon does not suffer from specific diseases. This plant requires minimal maintenance. When removing faded flowers in autumn, make sure to slightly shorten the flowerless stems without cutting them down to the ground, especially in regions where winters are humid. The foliage plays an important role in moisture regulation. Wait until spring is well established (March-April) to shorten branches whose foliage has been damaged by the cold. If summer is dry, water regularly to support flowering. Cover the base with glass or a frame in cold regions to protect it from severe cold.
Divide your penstemons every three or four years to rejuvenate them, but wait until spring.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.