Penstemon virens, commonly known as Blue Mist Beardtongue, is a perennial herb that is often semi-deciduous depending on the climate. It is native to the Rocky Mountains and foothills, typically found in open woodlands, meadows, and grassy slopes in the Western United States. This plant usually reaches a modest height of 0.6 feet (0.2 meters) and spreads 0.7-0.9 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). Blue Mist Beardtongue has a clumping form and produces tubular blue to violet flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are showy and provide a splash of color in rock gardens and native plantings.

In the garden, Blue Mist Beardtongue is valued for its low maintenance requirements, drought tolerance, and the beautiful blue-purple flowers that add vibrancy to the landscape. It is commonly used in rock gardens, as a border plant, or in naturalized areas. This species thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, and it prefers well-drained soils. While it is adaptable to various soil types, it does not tolerate wet conditions well. There are no major disease problems, but root rot can occur in poorly drained soils. Blue Mist Beardtongue is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0