Penstemon glaber, commonly known as Smooth Penstemon, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats in the western United States, including dry open areas, plains, foothills, and alpine slopes. It typically grows up to 2 feet tall and can spread to about 1 foot wide. The plant forms upright stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and produces clusters of tubular blue to purple flowers from late spring to early summer, which are highly attractive to bees and hummingbirds. The flowers are quite showy and can add a splash of color to garden settings.

Smooth Penstemon is valued for its low maintenance requirements and its ability to thrive in challenging conditions, such as poor soils and drought-prone areas. It is often used in native plant gardens, rock gardens, and borders, where its striking flowers can be appreciated. This plant is best grown in full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soils to prevent root rot. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. Smooth Penstemon is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease problems, making it a trouble-free addition to many landscapes. It is also not typically invasive when grown outside its native range, but gardeners should always monitor for any signs of unexpected spread.CC BY-SA 4.0