Penstemons looking tired

Emerion

Hello,
My penstemons held on to their leaves all winter looking really good. But with all this stormy weather, which has stripped a lot of the leaves, they are now looking bare lower down and a bit straggly. They are only a couple of years old. Should I have cut them down a bit last autumn, even though they were looking good? Should I cut them down now, or later in the spring? Or not at all? This picture shows the worst bit. The one on the right is the only one that’s broken in places. 

punkdoc

They will need cutting back to healthy shoots near the base, but I would not do it until mid to late March, depending on where you are.

Dovefromabove

I absolutely agree with @punkdoc ... cut them hard back to strong shoots near the base, but not until the worst of winter is over    I'd then give them a bit of Fish Blood and Bone.  

Joyce Goldenlily

If you are experiencing strong winds you could cut them down by about half to reduce rocking and breaking stems, or put stakes around them now. Finish cutting them back later when they have new shoots. Penstomens stems are very brittle so break easily and sometimes they split right down into the crown which can kill the plant.

Fairygirl

Penstemons looking tired

I know how they feel....

I'd agree - wait until the temps are more favourable for cutting back. If they're really bothering you [and I can understand that - aesthetics  ] you can do as @Joyce Goldenlily suggests, and tidy them a little bit.

Emerion

Thank you all. I think I will tidy them a bit because the winds are still really bad.