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Penstemons

Brickman0430Brickman0430 Posts: 182
in Plants
I planted 10 or so penstemons of various colours last year, and they performed wonderfully, however, I expected them to die down in the winter, but instead have continued growing, they are now about a foot and a half high and seem to be thriving. Come spring, should I still cut them down to their bases? Or leave well alone? I’m new to penstemons, and any advice would be much appreciated.
Pat. 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited January 2019
    I have the same Pat.
    P.Raven has still got flowers open, and plenty of lush green foliage on several other varieties - certainly brightening up the garden at this dull time of year :)
    I find that even though they still look OK now, by spring (March ish) they're looking quite tatty, so when the worst of the weather is over I give a good trim either down to some strong buds 1-2" above the base, or remove thin stems completely.
    They're soon off again when the weather warms up

    PS - the foliage also gives frost protection to the lower buds - another reason I leave them alone till spring

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Brickman0430Brickman0430 Posts: 182
    Excellent, thank you Pete.8, I shall do as you advise.i suppose we still haven’t had the worst of the winter yet, but chomping at the bit to get going 🙂
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    I have the same P. in the same condition and I support @Pete.8 's sound advice. Do not do anything now, wait until spring to trim your specimens down.
    @Brickman0430 what varieties have you got? Do you have photos?

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    If you leave cutting them back until the end of March/ April, you can use what you've cut off as cuttings. 
    Devon.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    I can thoroughly recommend taking cuttings of Penstemons.  I did some last Sept, still warm but not the earlier heat.  They are steaming ahead even now, compact and green with roots peeping out of the bottom.  I’m just about to move them to a more sheltered spot in case the snow arrives as threatened.  
  • Brickman0430Brickman0430 Posts: 182
    Only just found the time to get back to this. I’m not sure what varieties I have, see pics.
    if as advised,I cut them back to a strong shoot, can the bit I cut off be used as a cutting? As I said, I’m new to penstemons, and should the plants be staked? As they seem a bit floppy.
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @Brickman0430. Glad you posted some photos as I have one and had forgotten the name of it. I had to stake mine as it was very floppy and still a lovely green in spite of the bad weather. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Penstemon cuttings are usually taken mid to late summer, but there's nothing wrong with giving it a try when you cut them back in late Spring. Depending on the variety they can flop a bit, if in doubt you can always stake them "just in case".
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I think I'd wait for fresh new cutting material in the spring rather than used last year's leftovers that have been through the winter.
    If you cut right back to buds just a couple of inches above the soil In March, they will grow quickly and give enough spare material for cuttings within a month.
    Cuttings are easy almost any time during the growing season from non-flowering shoots.
    I bought a 2L P.Raven from Sarah Raven about 3 yrs ago. It arrived around April/May and I took about 15 cuttings as soon as it arrived. They all took in no time.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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