Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain Penstemon)

CONPS: Tall, straight, and showy with deep blue-purple flowers and long, shiny, opposite, lance-shaped leaves, Rocky Mountain penstemon is an attention-grabber. It is similar in size to Geyer Larkspur, growing up to 30 inches tall, but Rocky Mountain penstemon does not have a long spur on the back. Unlike most of the other penstemons in the Park, Rocky Mountain penstemon does not have a hairy yellow-bearded tongue but it has short, white hairs on the fertile anthers. The sterile stamen in the throat may have white hairs or may be hairless. The large tubular flowers have two lips, the top 2-lobed and the lower 3-lobed, and the flowers occur primarily on one side of the stem. Rocky Mountain penstemon is a popular choice for landscaping. It seeds easily and can live for many years. It blooms from June to July.