penstemon 'GARNET'

penstemon 'GARNET'

Tip from Brian mc
1430 1
I live in North Lanarkshire(scotland) - should I prune this penstemon back to ground level in spring even though we have relatively short flowering season? Or should I just give it a trim back to the new shoots? Also how does this plant respond to being moved transplanted to another spot with the same exposure, soil type and daylight?
Posted: Sunday 12th of October 2008 10:32 PM
  • 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
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