High-Country Sapphire Drift: Rocky Mountain Penstemon and Catmint Alliance
Few color palettes match the sheer magic of the Colorado sky quite like the rich blue and violet tones of a Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) and Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) combination. Rocky Mountain Penstemon, a true native powerhouse, shoots up sturdy spikes laden with deep sapphire-blue flowers in early summer. When layered alongside the billowing, soft-lavender mounds of ‘Walker’s Low’ or ‘Junior Walker’ Catmint, the garden gains an ethereal, cloud-like texture that softens hardscape edges and stone retaining walls. This pairing thrives in lean, nutrient-poor soil where other ornamental plants struggle. The natural aromatic foliage of Catmint acts as a protective deterrent against browsing deer and foraging rabbits, safeguarding the tender shoots of the garden. Once established, this pairing demands almost no supplemental irrigation, celebrating the xeriscape ethos without sacrificing lush, flowering volume. Shear the Catmint back by half after its initial bloom surge to trigger a second wave of late-summer blossoms that keep native bumblebees visiting until the first hard autumn freeze.