Smooth Leaf Penstemon (Penstemon leiophyllus) is a beautiful, low-growing penstemon that brings an adorable splash of color to dry, sunny landscape beds. Its slender stems rise above narrow, smooth green foliage to display clusters of tubular lavender to purple flowers in late spring and early summer. With its compact habit and delicate texture, it works especially well at the edge of garden and borders, xeric plantings, rock gardens, and along pathways where its blooms can be appreciated up close. This compact penstemon is well suited to Utah’s hot, sunny, low-water landscapes and provides nectar for hummingbirds and native pollinators.
Photo Credit: Darrin Gobble