Brilliant Penstemon

Every spring I get unreasonably excited when the Penstemon starts to bloom.
I believe the variety I own is "Electric Blue"

I bought one gallon from a local backyard nursery many years ago, and this plant has earned a top spot in my "Favorite Perennials" list for these qualities:

• Long lasting blooming season in spring (with some repeat blooms throughout the summer)
• Drought hardy
• Cold hardy 
• Dividable *
• Gorgeous blossoms
• Attracts bees, butterflies and humming birds
• Evergreen - does not go dormant in winter
• Lovely cut flower
• Not invasive
• Easy to grow

* To divide this plant, I purposefully buried some of the stems in dirt to encourage root growth, and once established I dug up my start. Here is the original plant.

Here is the one I grew by division, just a couple years later! (I think it's happy)

Early in bloom season

Drawbacks:

• Foliage for this variety is OK, but not exceptional. I cut mine back after blooming and usually place annuals in the bare space. Cutting it back encourages more bloom.
• Stems are weak, so the plant becomes rangy. Another reason to cut it back after blooming. 

Later in bloom season, heavy blossoms & rain have collapsed the stems.

 Just more pictures.