Rocky Mountain Blue Penstemon Seeds

Penstemon strictus

A long-lived, heirloom penstemon, Rocky Mountain Blue enhances the garden all year. Its exquisite blue-violet flower spikes attract pollinators and bloom for about a month in early summer, followed by satiny brown teardrop seedpods. In winter, the plants' evergreen basal rosettes turn from green to reddish purple. An easy to grow, very hardy and drought-tolerant choice for both wildflower plantings and formal garden borders.

$2.69 ~300 seeds
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
16

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Features

Family

Plantaginaceae

Native

Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah

Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")

Flower Color

Flower Color

Blue

Bloom Season

Bloom Season

Early summer

Further Information

Plant Characteristics

Plant Characteristics

  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Attracts Pollinators
  • Cut Flower
Growing Conditions

Growing Conditions

  • Drought Tolerant
  • Heat Tolerant
Plant Resistance

Plant Resistance

Deer Resistant

About Rocky Mountain Blue Penstemon Seeds

Penstemon strictus

Brilliant, 1" blue-violet, tubular flowers

Planting Penstemon

Plant Spacing

A group of 3 seeds every 18"

Hardiness Zones

Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Required

Light Required

Full sun to part shade

Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")

Planting Depth

Planting Depth

⅛"

Planting Details

Seed Depth ⅛"
Seed Spacing A group of 3 seeds every 18"
Thinning When 2" tall, thin to one every 18"
Germination 14–35 days
Start Indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Germinates best in cooler soils (near 55°F).
Direct Sow 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date or late fall.

Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone

4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
Based on 16 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 14 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 2
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Rating
Ratings
16 reviews
  • Rebecca H.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    4/23/26
    Happy so far

    I winter sowed these as well as did a cold stratification and typical indoor sow. Both methods had good germination. Can't speak to the flowers themselves yet, but I'm happy with germination rates. Picture of winter sown seedlings in April zone 7b. Also of note, the 8 week cold stratification suggested on the packaging was as least a month longer than required. I noted germination in the winter sown jug and found that my refrigerated seedlings were already germinating after a month.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    5/3/26

    Hey Rebecca,

    We love to hear your Rocky Mountain Blue Penstemon Seeds are growing so well using multiple methods! It sounds like you really know your way around seed starting! Thank you for sharing that helpful tip about the stratification timing too - it's great feedback that germination started happening after just a month rather than the full 8 weeks. Your fellow gardeners will definitely appreciate that insight! We can't wait for you to see those gorgeous blue blooms when they arrive - Rocky Mountain Blue Penstemon flowers are absolutely stunning and such fantastic pollinator magnets! Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Valerie D.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    9/16/25
    Blue penstemon

    Looked great in my flower bed! The color is amazing.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    9/16/25

    Hey Valerie D.,

    What a wonderful review! We're so thrilled to hear that your Rocky Mountain Blue Penstemon looked absolutely fantastic in your flower bed!

    That amazing color you mentioned is exactly what makes this variety so special - those vibrant blue blooms really know how to make a statement in the garden! There's something so striking about that true blue color that just catches your eye and draws you right in. It sounds like they found the perfect home in your flower bed!

    Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience with these beautiful penstemons. Your review will be so helpful for other gardeners who are looking to add some stunning blue color to their own gardens!

    Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Keifer B.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6/9/24
    5 Stars

    Love you guys, great products!

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
  • Michelle M.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5/17/24
    5 Stars

    I grew this in some milk jugs for winter sowing last year then transplanted them to a raised garden bed. They were very leafy and healthy but no flowers. I almost forgot what they were. This season they came roaring back and now have flowered out beautifully. It's taller than my kindergartener. I'm going to move it to another more permanent part of my yard. I hope I don't kill it by doing that but this bad boy is getting big. I still can't believe it came from a seed packet. Highly recommend just be patient.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner
  • Shraddha S.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5/6/24
    5 Stars

    Beautiful perrenial for zone 6 garden. I grew the seedlings with wintersowing method 2 years ago. The colors are so pretty. Extremely easy to grow, and thrives on neglect. Does well withh drought and poor soil.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate

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