Large-flowered Penstemon

Penstemon grandiflorus

A striking perennial of the prairie, Large-flowered Penstemon has smooth bluish-green or greyish-green stalks and leaves.  Leaves clasp the stem  and are rounded, untoothed, fleshy, and smooth, occuring in opposite pairs that alternate at 90-degree angles.  The whitish buds open to produce pink or lavender bell-shaped or tubular flowers about 1-1/2 to 2 inches long, with a flaring mouth; the throat of the blossoms may have darker stripes.

After blooming, the stalk bears hard, rounded seed pods that may remain on the distinctive foliage until fall, or even until spring on the dried-out stalk of the previous year's growth.

2-4 feet, sun.

Spring (May-June).

4 June 2021.

Large-flowered Penstemon, 28 May 2021.