HOTPOT PENSTEMON

Penstemon scariosus

Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)

This early-flowering blue penstemon gets its name from its habit of growing on the travertine mounds around hotsprings, and it is almost completely confined to limestone soils in nature. It is quite versatile in a garden setting, however, tolerating a range of soil types. It features dense masses of large blossoms on short stalks for a decidedly showy effect. It looks stunning planted with other early flowering species with pink and magenta flowers like purple crazypea and Utah penstemon. Hotpot penstemon is just one of many fine, blue flowered penstemons native to our region. It is more drought hardy than Wasatch penstemon but less tolerant of overwatering and less able to compete in mixes. Its rather diminuitive form makes it a good choice for a rock garden or low perennial border.