Penstemon procerus aka Small Flower Penstemon

Penstemon procerus is a small perennial in the Plantaginaceae family. Its common names include small-flowered penstemon and pincushion beardtongue. It comes from western and central North America. Its native range reaches from Alaska south to Utah. It also grows in western Canada, including Yukon and British Columbia. Other records include Saskatchewan, Alberta, and southwest Manitoba. In the United States, its range includes several western states. These include Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.

In gardens, this plant reaches about 1.3 feet [0.4 metres] tall. Its spread is about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres]. This small size makes it an option for planted beds. In the wild, it grows on dry plains and prairies. It also grows on open slopes and slopes with trees. Its habitats range from low ground to fairly high elevations. Flowers appear in July and August. Each flower has both male and female organs.

Choose a sunny site for the best growing conditions. The plant can also grow in light shade. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay when drainage is good. Rich garden soil suits it, but water must drain away. It tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. It grows in either dry or moist ground. Cold alone is less of a concern than winter wet. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 3–7. A sheltered spot near a dry wall can help in winter. Winter protection offers another way to limit exposure to wet conditions.

Grow new plants from seed, divisions, or cuttings. Sow seed under glass in late winter. Move seedlings into separate pots once they are large enough. Plant them outside in late spring. Another option is to sow under glass in early summer. Keep those seedlings under glass through winter, then plant out in spring. Divide established plants in autumn. Take cuttings during the growing season, with August and September preferred.

Dried leaves and stems have a recorded use as a drink. Boiling these parts produces a tea-like beverage. PFAF gives the plant a low edible-use rating. It reports no known medicinal uses or other practical uses. It also lists no known hazards. That does not establish safety for every person or pet. PFAF does not flag this species as a weed risk.