Penstemon whippleanus, Whipple's Beardtongue

Whippleanus is a native Rocky Mountain perennial sub-shrub, deep eggplant-purple in bloom, frosted with fine cilia, silvery in the sunlight. An occasional cream, lavender, deep blue, or white flower will surprise. Clusters of tubular flowers with a pouting lower lip arrive and persevere through July, August, and September; tolerant of a bit more water than many Penstemon.  Appreciates afternoon shade in lower elevations We have to thank Lt. Amiel Whipple's transcontinental railroad survey for allowing John Bigelow, a member of Whipple's team, to find this Penstemon in 1853 in the New Mexico mountains near Albuquerque. Mature size:  Up to 24 in tall x 12-18 in wide Minimum temperature: -30° F