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New pemstemon plants - when to plant out

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'd cut them back in spring @star gaze lily - assuming they survive the winters. Many people take cuttings as a back up because a lot of them aren't very hardy. They certainly aren't here, which is why I don't bother with them - too cold and wet for them.

    The top growth is a protection though, so it's always better to keep that on until spring    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Thank you @Fairygirl 
    Think this is possibly their 3rd winter, one in particular is quite big and sprawling.  Do you mean cut  hard back to a couple of inches? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In spring - cut back as far as is needed - there might be new growth by then, depending on the weather etc, so just keep an eye out for that.
    Leave about 6 inches or so if you're concerned, but dead foliage by that time is doing nothing for the plant.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 1,017
    Pete.8 said:
    Try and resist the urge :)
    They grow very quickly once they're in the ground and soon form a good clump.

    A couple of years ago that one still had flowers at Christmas!
    The current flower spikes are almost all buds at the mo, so plenty more flowers to come.
    That’s really impressive Pete - do you live in a particularly tropical part of a Essex then?!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Oh yes - I mainy grow coconuts and mangoes 😁

    It's a very, very dry part of the the UK here, but otherwise pretty normal weather-wize.
    A couple of years ago we didn't even get a proper frost until around Feb/March, so there were a few flowers hanging on various perennials and Raven flowered well over most of winter.
    The Raven in a pot is still flowering today and plenty more buds yet to open - frost permitting

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 1,017
    Are you coastal? Sounds like you’re in a sort of microclimate!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Not exactly - southend is about 15 miles away.
    But Billericay isn't far from Castle Point the driest part of the UK as far as I'm aware.
    It's also relatively high here and we get a lot of south-westerly winds which keeps temps up a bit

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 1,017
    Pete.8 said:
    Not exactly - southend is about 15 miles away.
    But Billericay isn't far from Castle Point the driest part of the UK as far as I'm aware.
    It's also relatively high here and we get a lot of south-westerly winds which keeps temps up a bit
    Ah that would be why then ☺️
  • Sorry @Fairygirl I've only just seen your reply. Thank you, that's very helpful.
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