lina

So of course, the images of the ram had me eager to take photos of Penstemon linarioides. In case you are wondering about the difference (isn't it obvious?)*,  the leaves of P. ramaleyi are much longer and thinner, the flowers of P. ram are smaller, and the plants of P. ram are bushier.

P. linarioides has much more open flowers, and the plants are mat-forming rather than upright, and the leaves tend to be more grey (depending upon the plant). The plants also grow spikes for the flowers, the main plant remaining a mat, whereas in P. ram, the flowers form among the leaves.

Both species are quite variable in flower color, as you can see from the selection of just my various P. linarioides.This plant has quite upright flower stems (below).

You can also see that the flower and plant form varies a bit as well. This self-sown seedling is quite a dark blue and a sprawling plant (below). You can see it above as well, behind what is probably the parent.

This one (below) doesn't open a lot of flowers at once, but they are quite a vibrant blue with purple, and it blooms for a longer time.They are all very charming.

*this is what I say to the hubby when he says "they all look alike, to me." Grr.