Dryland
← Back to catalog
Botanical illustration of Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) — a deciduous perennial for USDA zones 4–8

Penstemon strictus

Rocky Mountain Penstemon

PerennialDeciduousNative
Build my palette around this plant →
Mature size
1.5–2.5 ft tall
1–1.5 ft wide
Sun
Full Sun
Water use
Very Low
USDA zones
4–8
Soil
Lean, drained
Bloom
Blue-purple
Summer

Notable features

pollinatorhummingbirdnativeshowy bloom

Companion plants for Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Six water-wise companions matched on water use, sun, USDA zone, and how they layer visually beside Rocky Mountain Penstemon.

Botanical illustration of Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) — a evergreen shrub for USDA zones 4–9

Big Sagebrush

Native

Artemisia tridentata

Shrub3–6 ft tallZones 4–9
Botanical illustration of Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia aquifolium) — a evergreen shrub for USDA zones 3–9

Oregon Grape Holly

Native

Mahonia aquifolium

Shrub5–6 ft tallZones 3–9
Botanical illustration of Creeping Mahonia (Mahonia repens) — a evergreen groundcover for USDA zones 3–8

Creeping Mahonia

Native

Mahonia repens

Groundcover1–1.5 ft tallZones 3–8
Botanical illustration of Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii) — a deciduous tree for USDA zones 4–8

Gambel Oak

Native

Quercus gambelii

Tree15–30 ft tallZones 4–8
Botanical illustration of Giant Sacaton (Sporobolus wrightii) — a deciduous grass for USDA zones 5–9

Giant Sacaton

Native

Sporobolus wrightii

Grass4–6 ft tallZones 5–9
Botanical illustration of New Mexico Privet (Forestiera neomexicana) — a deciduous tree for USDA zones 4–8

New Mexico Privet

Native

Forestiera neomexicana

Tree10–18 ft tallZones 4–8
See the full palette with scoring →