I tend to leave penstemons alone through the winter as the top growth protects the crown of the plant from frosts. then in the spring there should be plenty of new shoots coming from the base of the plant and you can cut back to these. They tend not to flower on the last years stems, so you get many more flowers this way, and lots of potential cuttings as a by-product. I love penstemons - such a good value plant!
hello friends , do you think I should cut back a bit more ? chopped it about a week ago but is very untidy and wondered if it's supposed to be down to the ground ? thanks for your help
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I tend to leave penstemons alone through the winter as the top growth protects the crown of the plant from frosts. then in the spring there should be plenty of new shoots coming from the base of the plant and you can cut back to these. They tend not to flower on the last years stems, so you get many more flowers this way, and lots of potential cuttings as a by-product. I love penstemons - such a good value plant!
Hahaha Lesley
Might give it a go Hosta 
Never done cuttings before, but as you say, what have I got to lose 
hello friends , do you think I should cut back a bit more ? chopped it about a week ago but is very untidy and wondered if it's supposed to be down to the ground ? thanks for your help
grrr the photo hasn't uploaded !
I take mine right down so there are about 3-4 inch stems left. Did mine last weekend, which was later than normal, but other stuff got in the way
Thanks all, and done ......... I always seem to hold my breath when hard cutting - don't know why haha.