Penstemon palmeri or Palmer's Penstemon is a drought-tolerant perennial plant  preferring well draining drier soils. It is found native to desert mountains from the eastern Mojave Desert in California  to eastern Nevada  northeastern Arizona  and New Mexico. It grows erect and may reach 6 feet in maximum height. The showy  rounded flower has large pink to violet to blue-purple petals. It looks good in the back of a border or as a focal point  perhaps near a path where its fragrance can be enjoyed or in an informal grouping with other native penstemons and grasses  or with other plants that have similar maintenance and water requirements. Provide full sun and lean  sandy  well-drained soil. Plant with the crown an inch or two above the soil surface. It will not tolerate extra water  fertilizer  or mulch. Deadhead to maintain a tidy appearance.