Penstemon Wilsonii

The stock name Penstemon Wilsonii is interpreted here as Wilcox’s beardtongue, Penstemon wilcoxii, a hardy western North American species of rocky slopes and open mountain ground. Upright stems carry narrow green leaves and loose clusters of violet-blue to purple tubular flowers with paler throats, creating a light summer display above the clump. The plant is well suited to prairie, scree and gravel planting, where lean soil preserves its sturdy form. Because the original name is uncertain, mature plants should be carefully documented before the identification is treated as final.