Wasatch penstemon
Penstemon cyananthus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Wasatch penstemon (Penstemon cyananthus) is a perennial forb native to ID, MT, UT, WY. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds. It reads as an intentional, HOA-friendly planting in the right spot.
Toxicity unknown
Wasatch penstemon (Penstemon cyananthus) 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"–30" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
ID, MT, UT, WY
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
An upright perennial with narrow, slightly waxy blue-green leaves and spikes of tubular blue to violet flowers in late spring. Native to rocky, well-drained slopes and dry meadows at higher elevations, favoring lean, gritty soil over rich garden beds.
Growing Wasatch penstemon
Grow Wasatch penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Wasatch penstemon is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: border planting, rock garden, pollinator garden.
Wildlife value
The tubular flowers are a favored nectar source for bees and hummingbirds, and the plant tolerates heat and drought once established.
Common questions
- How much sun does Wasatch penstemon need?
- Wasatch penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Wasatch penstemon bloom?
- Wasatch penstemon blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Wasatch penstemon native?
- Wasatch penstemon (Penstemon cyananthus) is native to ID, MT, UT, WY, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Wasatch penstemon attract?
- Wasatch penstemon draws bees and hummingbirds.
- Is Wasatch penstemon HOA-friendly?
- Wasatch penstemon is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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 Wasatch penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.