Someone gave us 3 penstemon plants last autumn. They were about 2ft high at the time so I just heeled them in. I have now replanted them, Do I have to cut them down or lightly prune. Never had them before so any advice on growing them would be useful
Cut them right down in spring but watch you dont cut the new green shoots :)
I have loads in the front boarder abd i never water them !
cheers !!!!! will it be ok to do it tomorrow
Just one additional point - if any shoots are showing dieback, cut those shoots right down to the base.
They seem to flower for ages and ages if you cut off shoots after flowering.
Quote from: shirlton on January 13, 2009, 16:09:05
cheers !!!!! will it be ok to do it tomorrow
Whatever you do, don't prune until risk of severe frost has passed!
I would leave it as long as you can as the old stuff protects the new shots, i know it looks a mess but it is best for the plants :)
Thanks for the advice
And while you are cutting them back, see if there are any sideshoots you can root- they're dead esay to propagate.