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Penstemons

Elizabeth96Elizabeth96 Posts: 15
in Plants
I seem to have lost all 10 of my penstemons over winter, some in the ground some in pots. I know it was a lot colder at times but has anybody else had this problem? They've always been fine before
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've just had a wander around my garden to check on them.
    I have about 40 - or had...
    All but one of the Hidcote Pink have died, all of the White Bedder, all of the Raven, the serrulatus, Heavenly Blue and even 'Garnet' (which was almost weed like in my garden) seems have copped it.
    I'm so disappointed-  I've had many of them for 10ish years and never previously suffered any significant losses.
    Will just have to get more to replace them.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I've also lost some for the first time ever, 'White Bedder' Raven and Heavenly Blue although thankfully my 'Garnet' seems to have just about survived.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    All my penstemons seem to have died too. Arabesque, hartwegi, sour grapes, raven, etc. They are mostly two years old and some were getting very woody and not so well last summer. They were all ordered as cheap 9cm plants from the now notorious SGC... Did put on a fantastic show in the first year and I loved them. 

    Just ordered some more Penstemon Cambridge Mix from JParkers. Not sure how hardy they are but I'll make sure I take cuttings this time....
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I lost 1 out of 3, and that was the one I didn't like much!  The others still have all their stems and leaves from last year.  May be the one benefit of having sandy soil!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Garnet is one of the tough ones. No point growing them here so many other more reliable plants. Good in the south of UK but so many plants have suffered I am not suprised that Penstemons are amoungst them.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Mine in Norfolk, including Garnet, have died too. I haven't seen any in the garden centres around here yet but I expect they'll have some later.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Mine all look fine. Garnet, Blackbird (or maybe Raven, a bird anyway) and one which was bought as Sour Grapes but I suspect is really Stapleford Gem, all in the ground with lots of good growth on them, and an un-named white from Tesco plus two plants of Dark Towers that were bought late-ish last summer, potted on and stood in a sheltered spot (under a tree) for the winter. I think the sharp drainage makes a big difference for things that are borderline hardy.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    I haven't seen a living one this year. I really like garnet so will replace 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I haven’t lost any,  I’m just starting to cut them down,  I know,,, it’s too early but I need to get on as other things will need doing soon. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • gjautosgjautos Posts: 429
    Think I've lost mine. I was in the garden earlier and everything else has signs of growth. The penstemons look dead. Hey ho, chance to plant something else in their place I guess.
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