Forum home› Plants

Penstemon pruning

The Bird LadyThe Bird Lady Posts: 188
in Plants

I have an established Penstemon which flowers very well every year, but it's starting to get a bit woody and congested at the base.  I trim off all dead flower spikes etc regularly but I wondered whether I could cut it right down?  

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,708

    I cut mine hard in Spring and use the nice, flowerless shoots to produce cuttings. Really easy .

    You'll get a nice bushy parent plant and lots of little babies.

    Devon.
  • mushermusher Posts: 389

    Yes I'd go along with that, prune it back in April

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    I'm holding out till April time as well image can't come quick enough haha!

  • pokhimpokhim Posts: 210

    guess this is question for April time, but when you prune the penstomons, how far do you cut back?.. Do I just take a 3rd off from the top?...

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,740

    if its a large established plant I'd remove a good two thirds and use the sprigs from what you've removed as cuttings image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • The Bird LadyThe Bird Lady Posts: 188

    Excellent - another job for Spring - thanks everyone! image

  • Peanuts3Peanuts3 Posts: 759

    I thought you cut back penstemons each year ? Maybe this is why mine never flower very well ? Was going to get rid of them this year.  Seem a bit half hearted.  maybe that is just down to my poor soil and gardening skills.

Sign In or Register to comment.