prairie wildflower
Wasatch Beardtongue
Penstemon cyananthus
Also known as Wasatch Penstemon, Platte River Penstemon, Platte River Beardtongue
1 of 3Native to Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming
Southwestern Montana to northeastern Utah
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its blue flowers peak in June. At up to 3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Wasatch Beardtongue's blue flowers bloom May to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws bees.
Wasatch Beardtongue blooms blueFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee also Black-tipped Miner Bee
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Baltimore checkerspotcaterpillar host
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Idaho, Montana, Utah, and WyomingUnited States (4): ID, MT, UT, WY. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southwestern Montana to northeastern UtahThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Well-drained, sandy loamsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil pH
- 5.8–7.4The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- LowHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- Semi-ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 14+ in (36+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- BlueThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Capsule; ripens Jun–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- SeedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.3 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.