Pruning Penstemon in Spring

Prune Penstemons annually to maintain a bushy habit. Left unpruned, they become woody and leggy over time. In mid-spring, once the threat of hard frosts and harsh winter weather is over, check plants for new growth at the base or along the stems of the plant. If shoots are growing at the base, remove all old stems within 1-2cm of ground level. If there are no shoots at the base, shorten stems to just above the lowest set of healthy leaves. In areas with mild winters that do no get hard frosts or freezing temperatures, pruning can be carried out in late winter or early spring.