Plant Type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Lavender, Violet

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Parking Strip, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

This charming penstemon has blue-gray evergreen leaves and clouds of lavender-blue flowers in late spring. It has a shrubby growth habit, and grows to between 8 to 12 inches tall and wide, or wider if it receives regular water (but not over-watering). A wonderful addition to a sunny border, a rock garden, or parkstrip.

As with most penstemon, plant in full, hot sun in most any soil, as long as it is well-drained. Wet or soggy soils will cause root rot. Attracts hummingbirds and bees; resistant to deer and rabbit. After the plant has finished blooming, deadhead the old flower spikes (leaving a few to allow re-seeding). Cut back old, tatty foliage in the late winter to early spring if the plant needs a little sprucing.