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Help with penstemons
Lin21
Posts: 12
Two years ago I bought a collection of penstemons from a well known firm. I spread them around the garden in different locations - direct sun, exposed, sheltered etc but this year, although I have large healthy looking plants I have had virtually no flowers. I've had success in the past so it's presumably not the soil. I'm so disappointed. Can anyone help and suggest ways I can stop this happening again next year?
0
Posts
What is your soil like,is it free draining or clay?
Penstemons like a sheltered but sunny spot in quite a free draing spot.
Penstemons can take a season to get going. Young plants need time to settle. In spring cut them down to half their current size, you should see better results next year. 2 years does sound a long time, but it's happened to some of mine as well. I really wouldn't worry about it.
My Penstemons flower the same year i grow them from cuttings, what part of the country do you live? I live in South Devon so maybe it's warmer than where you are.
I agree with Verdun. Cut the plants back in spring. Otherwise you just get leafy growth.
Mine have flowered the same season I planted them, and are still in flower. How far down should I cut them back in Spring?
I cut mine back about April each year - by that time you can see the new growth coming through and you can cut back to that - get rid of all the straggly bits and you will be left with a lovely fresh green mound