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Penstemon deadheading?

emsy.angel.22emsy.angel.22 Posts: 27
in Plants
Hello

My Dad kindly bought me some penstemon, I am wondering about deadheading them. I have been pulling the flowers off but they still seem to be going to seed and I wonder if instead I should be cutting the whole spike off? The only info I can find online is to do with pruning, not dead heading so any advice appreciated. 
Thanks

Posts

  • Mr. Vine EyeMr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,394
    Once the whole spike has finished flowering cut the whole spike back to low down, just above where there’s new growth on that stem.
    East Yorkshire
  • emsy.angel.22emsy.angel.22 Posts: 27
    Thank you, much appreciated- I did think I was doing it wrong! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you take the flowers off completely, you still shouldn't have seed, but taking the spike off  as described is the way to deadhead virtually every perennial.
    It also means that plants can put energy into potentially producing more flower spikes  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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