Penstemon

Growing Guide

Penstemon; these elegant easy-to-grow border plants send up spires of tubular flowers in a range of gorgeous colours. From sky blue to rich plum, deep purple to powdery pink, they flower across the summer months, and like a warm, sunny spot.

Sow Penstemon indoors between February to April. Place seed on the surface of a good free draining, damp, seed compost. Cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until germination. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination. Germination is slow, but don't lose patience, it is always worth retaining your seed tray through the summer if you've had low rates of germination to see if anything happens and if so you can pot-on and overwinter these plants for use the next year.



Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into pots. Grow on in cooler conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after risk of frost, 60cm apart. Water well until plant are established.

TOP TIPS

Grow penstemons in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or leaf mould, and feed weekly in summer. Penstemons are short-lived perennials that can suffer in winter. To avoid losses, pruning penstemon is best done in spring. It's also a good idea to take summer cuttings to prevent winter losses.