Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue
Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue
Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue
Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue
Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue
Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue
Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue
Penstemon mensarum
Chelone, Galane, Penstemon
Small young plant In good shape Growing slowly
Ludivine, 09/08/2025
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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
The Penstemon mensarum is a magnificent botanical species native to the mountains of Colorado. Relatively hardy and tolerant of poor and dry soils, this perennial beauty offers a long flowering of dazzling gentian blue for weeks in late spring and summer. Its beautiful spikes, loaded with tubular flowers, rise above a clump of large, evergreen leaves, shining green. When conditions are right, in light soil, this penstemon is very perennial and accompanies the gardener for many years. It is also an excellent cut flower, perfect in sunny borders or planted in pots.
The Penstemon mensarum is a woody-based perennial plant native to mountain slopes in western Colorado. It belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae, just like foxgloves and snapdragons. The plant quickly forms a beautiful clump of leafy stems that are wide and 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) tall and 30 cm (12in). The stems bear long, lanceolate leaves, relatively light green and shiny. They often remain evergreen through winter. Flowering occurs from May-June to August and can be earlier in mild climates and interrupted in case of summer drought. The leafy stems elongate and turn reddish, each bearing at the top, 50 cm (20in) above the ground, a spike adorned with intensely blue flowers with a darker throat. The bell-shaped flowers are gathered in somewhat loose clusters.
The Penstemon mensarum is used in borders or along the edge, among perennials such as toadflaxes, Bluebeards, yellow yarrows like 'Moonshine', and red bushy salvias, or mixed with annuals such as love-in-a-mist and cosmos for example, in large, intensely multicoloured country-style ensembles. It will mingle among rocks in rockeries (not too chalky soil) with cotton lavenders, rockroses, or wormwoods. It also performs very well in pots, with proper drainage and regular fertilizer. Penstemons also make perfect cut flowers.
Penstemon mensarum - Beardtongue in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Penstemon
mensarum
Scrophulariaceae (Plantaginaceae)
Chelone, Galane, Penstemon
North America
Planting and care
To grow the mensarum penstemon plant, it needs to be in a mountainous yet temperate climate. It can't handle very dry or scorching summers, nor can it withstand long, wet and cold winters. It can survive temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F) in well-drained soil, but only for short periods.
The type of soil and climate are crucial to growing botanical penstemons successfully. The soil must be well-drained, especially during winter. If the soil is overly damp, the plant will rot quickly, and overly rich soils will not support the plant for long. In cooler climates, put the plant in a warm, sunny spot sheltered from cold winds (south or west exposure), while in hot climates, choose a cooler, partially shaded area. In very cold and wet regions, take stem cuttings in autumn. The mensarum penstemon does not suffer from any specific diseases and requires minimal maintenance.
When removing faded flowers in autumn, slightly shorten the spent stems without cutting them back to the ground, especially in regions where winter is wet. The foliage plays a crucial role in moisture regulation. It is best to wait until spring is well-established (March-April) to shorten branches whose foliage has been damaged by the cold. If summer is dry, water regularly to support flowering. In cold regions, cover the base with glass or a frame to protect it from severe cold. Divide your penstemons every three or four years to rejuvenate them, but wait until spring to do this.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.