Penstemon azureus
Common name(s): azure penstemon
Description: perennial; Found in the coastal mountains of SW Oregon and NW California and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Semi-evergreen with narrow foliage and violet-blue flowers from spring into summer.
Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.
Position: full sun and lean, well-draining soil
Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators
Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below
Drought: adapted to 3+ months of summer drought
Distribution: SW Oregon, Central and N. California
Care: prune to 6 inches above the ground in spring (after all danger of last frost) to rejuvenate foliage. Adding a 1-2 inch layer of gravel around the base increases survivability and prevents crown rot. Cutting back spent blooms in summer will encourage more blooming but is not necessary. No fertilizer.