It’s a sure bet that before summer is over I will have flooded cyberspace with photos of Penstemons, but it might be a good start to look at just one individual blossom of this species which is found only in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
May 18, 2012
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Montana Outdoors 
We have a lot of penstemon here where we live but certainly not blue. Did you take that photo at night?
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Comment by Tammy — May 19, 2012 @ 12:25 am
About 7 PM, but in a deep canyon where the sun had been down for several hours. We have several other Penstemon types too. I just recently realized that this one was a separate species and not just a color variation.
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
I love penstemon enough to grow it in the garden and I’d sure like to have a blue one. Real, true blue in a flower is hard to come by.
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — May 19, 2012 @ 2:38 am
I wonder it they would grow there, also why they are shown as native to only those three states.
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:42 pm
I don’t know. Apparently whoever eats the seeds hasn’t gone very far afterwards.
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — May 20, 2012 @ 8:08 am
That is fine with me. I have started a few from seed, and they do grow well in my garden, but don’t last if we don’t have snow cover. This pretty blue is a new one to me. This is another flower I am looking forward to seeing int the wild.
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Comment by sandy — May 19, 2012 @ 5:42 am
In summer, Penstemons are one of the most plentiful flowers here and grow in just about every type of climate. The shrubby ones are the largest and seem to like the high mountain peaks in late summer and are so welcome to see up there.
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:45 pm
A stunning shade of blue and look at all that sweet fuzziness on the stem. I’m always glad when something so wonderful is found in a limited area. It makes the preservation of them even more imperative. A great photo honoring that little beauty!
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Comment by Teresa Evangeline — May 19, 2012 @ 6:27 am
They have lots of blossoms on their tall stems, but I enjoy a close look at a single one. I think of it as a blossom that could have been designed by the imagination of a child.
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
I am so enjoying your wildflower photos. They are gorgeous.
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Comment by anniespickns — May 19, 2012 @ 6:36 am
Thanks Annie! I think our wildflowers are all gorgeous! Amazing in every aspect!
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
So pretty and unique.
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Comment by Homestead Ramblings — May 19, 2012 @ 6:49 am
This species is also pretty where it grows in large groups. I remember a few years back encountering a small patch of about 20 ft X 20 ft that contained perhaps a hundred or so plants and it was new growth right at the edge of a wild fire that had burned there the year before.
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:51 pm
Your photo leaves no doubt that this is a snapdragon cousin. Nice capture.
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Comment by Kim — May 19, 2012 @ 7:07 am
Sure has that shape, doesn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:51 pm
It’s ok with me if you flood cyberspace…love your photos!!
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Comment by dhphotosite — May 19, 2012 @ 1:43 pm
Thanks David! It’s just so good to still have all of these truly wild flowers around!
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:52 pm
They’re very intricate…and a beautiful color.
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Comment by Candace — May 19, 2012 @ 3:47 pm
Nature has a wonderful designer, doesn’t She!
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:53 pm
Hi Montucky, Nice to see the true-blue flowers. Not that many flowers are that vivid a blue. Wonderful photograph! Have a super nice Sunday tomorrow1
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — May 19, 2012 @ 4:55 pm
The Penstemons all have very nice colors. This is probably the deepest color on their palette.
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 7:55 pm
I’ve never seen a more brilliantly blue plant! Terrific!
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Comment by Wild_Bill — May 19, 2012 @ 8:36 pm
A little later in the summer there should be some in large groups and that big splash of color is great to see!
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 11:22 pm
I was going to comment on the glorious colour but several others have beaten me to it! I’m looking forward to seeing your photographs of large numbers of them.
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Comment by Finn Holding — May 20, 2012 @ 2:04 am
I hope to encounter them in a big group, but if not, I will post a photo from several years ago.
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Comment by montucky — May 20, 2012 @ 10:18 pm
That flower looks for all the world like a creature of some sort – look at those big eyes! It looks like it’s thinking, “One step closer, Mister, and I’m going to poof pollen on you!”
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Comment by shoreacres — May 20, 2012 @ 10:16 am
It’s sure easy to see it as a creature, or perhaps a clown. I’m sure that if we only knew, it has a very interesting success strategy.
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Comment by montucky — May 20, 2012 @ 10:20 pm
My gracious, what a great capture up-close and detailed. It is as if getting a view of the inner and secret world of a flower. Beautiful and awesome Blue Penstemon!
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Comment by Anna Surface — May 21, 2012 @ 4:54 pm
Sometimes I feel as though I’m intruding, but it’s so interesting and beautiful to see all of the details of a blossoms.
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Comment by montucky — May 21, 2012 @ 11:44 pm
These are too cool Terry..great shot !!
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Comment by Bernie Kasper — May 21, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
Thanks Bernie!
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Comment by montucky — May 21, 2012 @ 11:45 pm