When mentioning the pretty flowers of my recent high-elevation Rocky Mountain hikes, I cannot forget the attractive dusky beardtongue or whipple’s penstemon, Penstemon whippleanus (although that species name has really got to go).  This penstemon is often an eye-catching burgundy color, but it can also be lighter purple or even white.

Growing in sunny, summer, subalpine to alpine spots in the Rocky Mountains, this flower is another one that often includes a stunning backdrop.

Penstemon come in a huge number of species and varieties, but this is one that I find a little easier to identify.  The flowers are particularly narrow, often droop a bit and seem to pop out on all sides instead of in a line on just one side like in many penstemon species.

If you come across this species, don’t miss looking into the flower tubes to see all of the intricate detail.