Cutting back and transplanting Penstemon
Shoot User
Hi there - I believe that Penstemon should not be cut back in the autumn as they need their bits on to protect it throughout the winter. If any bits do die back in the winter cold it will be the tips- so having a bit more stem there will save your roots and possibly your Penstemon all together. In the spring you can cut old flowering stems back to basal foliage. Besides, the foliage will remain evergreen through winter so that is something you don't really need to be in a hurry to loose.
Division in late spring is recommended, so transplanting would probably follow this guide too. I have read somewhere that they don't like being transplanted, but if a plant isn't where you want it to be than why not try moving it- I would. Let us know how that goes if you have success.
Replied: Wednesday 15th of October 2008 06:07 PM