Whipple's Beardtongue (Penstemon)

Whipple’s beardtongue (Penstemon whippleanus) is a mountain perennial with clusters of dark, wine-purple flowers along the upper portions of leafy stems. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center reports bloom from July through September, part-shade conditions, medium water use, and special value to native bees. ([Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center](https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEWH)) ## Appearance The usual flowers are deep wine-lavender to nearly black-purple, with plump, glandular-hairy tubes; the species also varies, with occasional yellow or white flowers blushed in brown, purple, or blue. Green leaves line the stems, which can reach about three feet. The display is notable in late summer and early fall, and the flowers are conspicuous to pollinators. ([Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center](https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEWH)) ## Growing conditions This species is native from southern Montana south through the Rocky Mountains to northern Arizona and southern New Mexico. It grows in meadows and on wooded slopes, including moist areas, and the Wildflower Center lists part shade and medium water use. Use a site with the moisture and exposure of its local mountain habitat rather than applying dryland conditions to every penstemon. ([Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center](https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEWH)) ## Maintenance Keep soil evenly supplied with moisture during dry periods and allow the plant to establish in part shade. The Wildflower Center records a height up to about three feet but gives no narrower mature-size range, so allow room for the full stem height. Its native-bee value and late-season flowers make it useful in a pollinator planting. ([Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center](https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEWH))