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Penstemon or gaura cuttings?

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  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    edited April 2021
    I was wondering the same @pitter-patter the 2 larger plants I have in the bed don't have them but then I cut them back to let the new growth through so maybe its just in older leaves
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Yours and mine are very similar, aren't they?
    I'm not overly concerned  about ID as P &Gs both do ok in the same situation.
    Unfortunately, if a bit breaks off, I tend  to poke it into the nearest pot - even if there's something already in it. Makes ID problematic!
    Many of my penstemons are cheek by jowl with other plants, but I originally planted most of them with plenty of space around them so maybe they got a start before things got crowded   . The ones in full sun, flower a bit more but that might be the variety as mine are all different.
    I didn't understand about pruning gaura last year so they went wild. I've done it properly this year - I hope.
    Thanks again for your help @WonkyWomble
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    @WonkyWomble Apparently it’s a reaction to cold, so nothing to worry about.

    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1038533/gaura-with-black-spot-what-can-i-do

    Apologies for this, @B3
  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    I've tried penstemon heavenly blue and sour grapes and neither flowered well.  Perfectly healthy plants,  dug them up and have them away in the end but what's wished I'd had success.  Maybe I should try again 🤔
    It's a sunny boarder and week drained so I thought they would work.  I'm sure I'll be tempted at some point soon. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    The blue one I have . Can't remember which, is a bit different in its growth habit to all the others. It's lowish - about a foot high- has smaller leaves and spreads along the ground, gets little water, a lot of sun and tolerates having a washing pole stuck in its innards.
    I'll send you a bit of that one if you like. @WonkyWomble
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    On looking again I think @WonkyWomble could be right about the third one.

    I've never managed to keep blue penstemons over winter planted outside and some of the others are a bit tender too. I've found "Garnet" is the hardiest and easiest to grow.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I agree that 3 is Guara, that blue Penstemon is a temperamental little  wotsit,  as Liz says, try the dark red ones, they grow well here on my acid soil, maybe they favour that, or they may be happy in any, I don’t know, but try again @WonkyWomble.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    Sorry for the delay in replying  @B3 that would be lovely thank you! I'll pm you,  thanks again! 😊
    Glad I'm not the only one that has trouble with them @Busy-Lizzie, makes me feel much better!
    @Lyn, I think we both know I need no excuse to buy another plant!!!! 😄
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I've learnt about adventitious roots so shoehorn them into conversation whenever possible. I will try to find bits with them😊 @WonkyWomble
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    Your a Star 🌟 @B3! Many thanks!!! I'm far too stubborn to be beaten by a plant!! 😉
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