Pruning Penstemons

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Author Message   Duckwatcher  Posted on Thursday, January 16, 2003 - 09:20 pm:    A few months back I purchased two penstemons b/c they said hummers like them and I was trying to provide additional food source other than my feeder and the fuchsias. Now I don't know what to do with them. They are in the ground, we have had a few light frosts and they seem OK. How do I ensure they survive the winter and bloom next year? The other question is where do I cut them back to after the stalk is done? what I did was cut them to where I saw new leaves popping up in the crevices, is this right? Thanks for any help. DuckWatcher, N. California, Z9b   Plantynut  My Favorite Photo Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 05:27 pm:    DW I have 2 penstemons. One was new last summer and the other is 3-4 years old. It gets much colder here than your zone and I have no problem. As a matter of fact they are still standing green and tall. After they flower I cut down pretty far. The first flush of flowers is the best but I'll get more intermitantly through the summer. They also make lots of volunteers. I hope this was helpful. Here's a picture of my older one. Sorry not such a great picture. Arlene Zone 7 Long Island, NY   Monique  My Favorite Photo Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 05:29 pm:    On the contrary Arlene..The photo looks good and bright on my screen..Mine look like echinacea right now..tall and erect.. Perhaps I should have cut them back..My first year with these.. Mnique Canada Zone 5   Gardenshowlady  My Favorite Photo Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 05:32 pm:    Pretty Penstemons! Lovely pic Arlene! Carolyn SC Coastal Zone 8   Ej  My Favorite Photo Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 05:48 pm:    Duckwatcher I cut mine back pretty hard too because THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! EJ So. Calif Zone 10a   Duckwatcher  Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 09:00 pm:    You guys are being very helpful so OK the next big question how far back (define hard) and when. Right now mine are just green stalks no flowers. I cut maybe the top 6 inches off but they are still about 1.5 feet tall. Thanks again. DuckWatcher, N. California, Z9b   Plantynut  My Favorite Photo Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 03:43 am:    DW here's a link to help:http://www.yardener.com/Helper/Flowers/Perennials/Penstemon/penstemon.htm Arlene Zone 7 Long Island, NY   Duckwatcher  Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 07:33 pm:    Thanks Arlene DuckWatcher, N. California, Z9b   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Weather Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 07:26 am:    Hi DW, Of course your zone is warmer than mine, but I never cut off the previous years stems until all frosts have gone, here that is May/April time. The stems of some varieties are completely dead so cut those to the ground. Other varieties have growth on the old stems, these I cut back to approx. 12 inches, encourages more young growth. - Kath Kath.zone 8b. UK.   Duckwatcher  My Weather Posted on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 01:27 pm:    Kath, Doh! I didn't see this part and I did cut back the old growth and I am sure we will get several more frosts this year (maybe even this week it's been so cold). I hope they hang in there b/c they really are pretty. I also have snap dragons and begonia's in the same area and they seem to be able to handle the frosts but of course they are different plants. Duck Watcher, N. California, Z9b

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