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Penstemon mensarum (Grand Mesa Beardtongue)

Grand Mesa Beardtongue, Grand Mesa Penstemon, Tiger Beardtongue

Penstemon mensarum,  Grand Mesa Beardtongue, Grand Mesa Penstemon, Tiger Beardtongue, Blue Penstemon

Native to western Colorado, Penstemon mensarum (Grand Mesa Beardtongue) is an evergreen perennial boasting showy spires of brilliant cobalt blue flowers, a shade of blue rarely seen in gardens. Blooming for several weeks in late spring and early summer, they rise on upright stems well above a compact basal rosette. The tubular flowers attract scores of hummingbirds, bumblebees, and other beneficial pollinators. The shiny blue-green foliage turns reddish-orange in the fall. The beautiful flowers and handsome evergreen foliage make Penstemon mensarum attractive for ornamental and landscape plantings. Easy to grow, fuss-free, and water-wise, it is perfect for perennial borders, rock gardens, and xeriscape gardens.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established. Tolerates some shade and thrives with moderate watering.
  • Provides a bold and striking impact in beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, or containers. Plant in bold groupings.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
  • Deadhead after flowering to promote vigor.
  • Propagation by seed or by basal stem cuttings.
  • Native to western Colorado.
  • Discover 50 blue wildflowers to add charm to your garden

Penstemon: How to Grow and Care with Success


Properly growing Penstemon ensures robust, vibrant blooms and foliage, enhances garden biodiversity by attracting pollinators, prevents disease, and maintains plant health. Thriving plants provide longer-lasting beauty and environmental benefits, contributing positively to local ecosystems and the aesthetic value of your landscape.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Penstemon
Common names Beardtongue, Penstemon
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Colorado, Rocky Mountains
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Penstemon barbatus Rock Candy ® Light Pink (Beardtongue)
Penstemon pallidus (Pale Beardtongue)
Penstemon pseudospectabilis (Desert Beardtongue)
Penstemon parryi (Parry’s Beardtongue)
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Electric Blue’ (Foothill Beardtongue)
Penstemon ‘Evelyn’ (Beardtongue)

Recommended Companion Plants

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’
Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Best Full Sun Perennials for Zone 8: Top Heat-Tolerant Garden Winners
Top Zone 6 Full Sun Perennials – Color That Thrives in Heat & Cold
Top Zone 7 Full Sun Perennials for Long Bloom, Color & Pollinators
Native Garden Ideas – Best Native Plants for a Beautiful Yard
Drought Tolerant Gardens – The Ultimate Water-Wise Guide
Pollinator Gardens: Plants, Designs & Care Guide
Top 70 Summer Flowers to Brighten Your Garden and Home
50 Best Fall Flowers to Color Your Autumn Garden
Desert Flowers: Bringing Color to Dry Gardens
50 Fall Wildflowers: Top Picks for a Vibrant Autumn Garden
50 Summer Wildflowers: Bright Blooms for Your Garden
50 Wildflowers that Thrive in Sun
50 Blue Wildflowers for Every Garden
50 Pink Wildflowers for Every Garden
50 Purple Wildflower to Brighten Your Garden
50 California Wildflowers: From Desert Blooms to Coastal Gems
50 Colorado Wildflowers to Know and Love
50 Texas Wildflowers to Brighten Your Garden
35 Flowering Shrubs That Blaze in Full Sun
42 Best Perennial Flowers and Plants to Brighten Your Garden Every Season
Penstemon and Pollinators: A Harmonious Dance in the Garden
Thriving in Thirst: Colorful Penstemons for Water-Wise Landscapes
Penstemon: How to Grow and Care with Success
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
50 Native Wildflowers for North Carolina
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Penstemon
Common names Beardtongue, Penstemon
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Colorado, Rocky Mountains
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Not sure which Penstemon (Beardtongue) to pick?
Compare Now

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