Collection: Penstemons

The best time to plant penstemons is in spring or early summer, after the risk of frost has passed. This gives the plants a good long growing season to establish themselves before winter.

Penstemons will flower best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, but partial shade is also fine.

Water your penstemons regularly, especially in hot and dry weather, but avoid waterlogging. Mulch around your plants in autumn or when you plant them, to keep weeds down and keep the soil moist, then once your plants are well established, cut back the old foliage in early spring to encourage new growth. You can also divide any overcrowded clumps after a few years, and plant your new clumps in other places. Your penstemons will also bloom for longer if you deadhead the faded flowers regularly.

Penstemons are ideal container plants. Choose large pots with good drainage holes in the bottom, filled with good quality compost and placed in a sunny position.

Penstemons are fully hardy in the UK and will be fine throughout the winter, but young plants will benefit from a layer of insulating mulch around them in colder areas.

Division can be done in spring or autumn, by digging up your penstemon clump, splitting it into smaller sections with roots and replanting each one in a new place. You can also collect seeds from your plants after they’ve flowered, or take cuttings in late spring or early summer.