Penstomen help please.

Good morning all.Last year i planted a few penstomens[spelling].Anyway i,m wanting to know when do i cut last years growth of please?Thank you ...happy easter everyone.

 

Hi Daz and Debs

I have just had a look in my book 'Cultivation of hardy perennials' and it says you can either cut them back to the base now or you can leave them. If you leave them they will flower much earlier starting about June, and you should then cut them back after they have finished flowering.

Given that many Penstemon are not that hardy, my own inclination is to cut them back now and then let them keep their growth over winter, which can just give them a bit of added protection.

 

HI
I cut mine back to the new growth in March as the last years growth will protect it from any frosts....given that its frosty at the moment i would leave it a week or so!!
If you leave them they do tend to get rather straggly.

 

Thanks very much guys.I,ll cut them back as soon as this awful weather has past.Hopfully this will be the last really cold spell, but some how i dout it.All te best and happy easter..daz