Grand Mesa penstemon
Penstemon mensarum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Grand Mesa penstemon (Penstemon mensarum) is a perennial forb native to CO. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.
Toxicity unknown
Grand Mesa penstemon (Penstemon mensarum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 8"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CO
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
An upright perennial with narrow leaves in a basal clump and tall spikes of tubular blue-purple flowers in summer. It grows on high-mountain meadow slopes and holds a neat, vertical form typical of the genus.
Growing Grand Mesa penstemon
Grow Grand Mesa penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The tubular summer flowers attract hummingbirds and are heavily visited by native bumble bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Grand Mesa penstemon need?
- Grand Mesa penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Grand Mesa penstemon bloom?
- Grand Mesa penstemon blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Grand Mesa penstemon native?
- Grand Mesa penstemon (Penstemon mensarum) is native to CO, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Grand Mesa penstemon attract?
- Grand Mesa penstemon draws bees and hummingbirds.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Grand Mesa penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.