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Penstemon Advice

JoneskJonesk Posts: 205
in Plants

Hi all,

I have a 2 year old penstemon that I cut back in spring and fed regularly. It has grown strong and flowered beautifully but all the flowers seem to be over now. Should I cut off the large flower stalks now to encourage more flowers or leave them alone?

Also when am I supposed to cut back penstemons to the ground? in Autumn or spring like I did?

I have several new penstemons that I bought as plugs this Spring, they are small and weak still but beginning to flower - would you cut those back at all?

Posts

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    Hi jonesk just cut off the spent flowers they should flower again, in spring cut them back but don't do it too early, for a few years l haven't cut mine back mainly because I don't get the time but they are still ok. The small plants cut the flowers off so they will grow stronger. You don't say where the small plants are but I wouldn't cut them down until their bigger plants.image
  • JoneskJonesk Posts: 205

    Thank you Logan, I'll get onto removing the spent flowers tomorrow.

    The young plants have been transplanted into the garden for the past 6 weeks and they seem to be doing well. They arrived in a very poor condition back in May as tiny plugs (9 for £7.99) I lost 1 but the other 8 are doing well. Not much of a show this year but hopefully next year will be settling in - great idea about cutting the flowers on the young plants to promote strong growth.

    Thanks again image

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    Jonesk. It might be a good idea to protect the young plants for the first winter then they should be alright after thatimage
  • JoneskJonesk Posts: 205

    what would you recommend to protect them?

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