Blue penstemon

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by BB3, Jun 27, 2025.

  1. BB3

    BB3 Total Gardener

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    I have an old penstemon that flowers reasonably well but it's become very woody and overgrown.
    Can't remember the name but flowers start off blue and fade to pink
    If I cut it right back, would it rejuvenate or should I just give it a bit of a tidy up? It's got pulmonaria, wild strawberry and other things growing through it which I'd like to remove if possible
    Here's the patient
    20250627_102610.jpg
     
  2. AnniD

    AnniD Super Gardener

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    I'd just cut the floor heads off down to the nearest leaf joint, it may well flower again. I wouldn't cut it down to the base until next Spring, assuming it survives the winter of course !

    The only 2 blue penstemon varieties that I can think of off the top of my head are Heavenly Blue and Catherine de la Mare (sp ?)
     
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    • BB3

      BB3 Total Gardener

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      Heavenly Blue sounds familiar. It's survived about 10 winters so it'll probably manage another. The spring would probably be the best time to get the weeds out too.
      Thank you @AnniD
       
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