Before giving advice on Penstemons, I would want to know which part of the country you garden in, and what named varieties are these... they are not all hardy, most aren't in fact, and it's touch and go whether they survive for gardeners in northern and colder districts...
As these have been growing under cover frost free, in my opinion they should not be planted out until mid May [unless you live on western or southern coastal areas]... I would pot those on into larger pots and plant in May. I would not cut back or pinch back at this stage, if at all depends where you live.
Penstemons often survive the winter with lots of top growth, and you think you've got away with it, but if you cut them back too soon, and get late frosts [and for most of us I would say it's pretty certain we're going to get some more don't you?], then you could lose these plants if out in the garden...
I write from East Anglia, and that advice is suitable for my area...
I should add, I might have misunderstood you if you are not planning on putting them outside right now, I'm not clear about that in your post, I took it that you were intending to do so...
Im actually not too sure of the variety as I bought them from a lady at the end of my street who put plants out in her front garden in the summer. There is very limited Info on their labels. I'm in the Midlands by the way in Leicester.
I'm not planning on putting them out until May so what I have been doing is Leaving the plants outside in the open, even over night as long there isn't a frost forecast. But the moment there is a frost I bring them into my outside toilet to protect them. As soon as the frost is over they go back outside.
Can autumn sown Hardy annuals be planted outside now? The ones I have were grown in pots using the same method as mentioned above. Kept outside unless there is a frost.
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Ahh right so you don't just keep deadheading you would actually cut the plant to the ground and then that will give a fresh flush of flowers?
And then in spring you cut them to the ground again?
Thanks Verdun thats really helpful! Thank you too fidgetbones
Appreciate all the advice!
Before giving advice on Penstemons, I would want to know which part of the country you garden in, and what named varieties are these... they are not all hardy, most aren't in fact, and it's touch and go whether they survive for gardeners in northern and colder districts...
As these have been growing under cover frost free, in my opinion they should not be planted out until mid May [unless you live on western or southern coastal areas]... I would pot those on into larger pots and plant in May. I would not cut back or pinch back at this stage, if at all depends where you live.
Penstemons often survive the winter with lots of top growth, and you think you've got away with it, but if you cut them back too soon, and get late frosts [and for most of us I would say it's pretty certain we're going to get some more don't you?], then you could lose these plants if out in the garden...
I write from East Anglia, and that advice is suitable for my area...
I should add, I might have misunderstood you if you are not planning on putting them outside right now, I'm not clear about that in your post, I took it that you were intending to do so...
Last edited: 22 February 2017 21:21:34
Hi Marlorena,
Im actually not too sure of the variety as I bought them from a lady at the end of my street who put plants out in her front garden in the summer. There is very limited Info on their labels. I'm in the Midlands by the way in Leicester.
I'm not planning on putting them out until May so what I have been doing is Leaving the plants outside in the open, even over night as long there isn't a frost forecast. But the moment there is a frost I bring them into my outside toilet to protect them.
As soon as the frost is over they go back outside.
Can autumn sown Hardy annuals be planted outside now? The ones I have were grown in pots using the same method as mentioned above. Kept outside unless there is a frost.