The Penstemon Collection - our top tips for success.

May is one of the best times to plant Penstemon, planting them just after the last of the frosts will give them just enough time to establish a good root system before they start putting on flower bud. 

These reliable border perennials have a long flowering season and come in wide range of colours. Rosy has chosen to concentrate on producing many of the older cultivars which have a proven track record. 

Full sun, fertile well-drained soil and a sheltered position are the main requirements for success. When choosing make sure you take note of the hardiness rating, if you live in a cold region and have never grown Penstemon then it may be wise to start with P. 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn' or P. 'Schoenholzeri'. 

We advise taking softwood or semi-ripe cuttings from the non-flowering shoots in mid-summer these can be overwintered under protection and will act as back-up just incase we have a particularly harsh winter. 

To maintain vigour deadhead as the flowers fade. Don't be tempted to cut your Penstemon down before the winter, leave the top growth to protect it. In spring, after the last frosts have passed, cut them back hard.

Explore our full range of Penstemon.  Buy any 3 Penstemon get £3 discount - offer ends 7 June '26