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Penstemon .When do I prune it?

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Plants
I have a large penstemon -about 3years old. I think it's called king/prince or something- after royalty anyway. It has some woody stems and looks a bit bedraggled. I dead head it and it is still flowering well.
When can I prune it and how far down?
Thanks Chaps.
In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I would leave it until the Spring, when you can prune it right down. Is it one of those varieties with thicker leaves, as l believe they are more tender. Not too late to take cuttings just in case !
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Thanks Anni. It survived the beast unscathed so it should be ok. I'll wait til spring as you advise
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    I’ve removed the straggly stems of my penstemon (they were lying flat on the soil or at right-angles to the rest of the plant) and used them for cuttings.  Quite a few roots within 3 or 4 weeks.  I’ve just done some more.  
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I'm hoping mine will root into the ground to save me the effort ;)@ERICS MUM
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    B3 said:
    I'm hoping mine will root into the ground to save me the effort ;)@ERICS MUM
    I hope they do.  Mine never have, but I’m a bit of a tidiness freak so I don’t really give them chance !
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Good time to take cuttings right now. I cut mine back hard in the spring as soon as I see good new growth from the bottom of the plant. 
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