I wouldn't cut it down now,Millie..the old foliage will help to protect it,if we get a cold spell.When you see new growth appearing in Spring,will be soon enough..Maybe a mulch would help to protect the roots too..

They're not the hardiest plants in the garden...I have several big clumps of different varieties and never cut them back unless the weather kills off the tops, which is quite rare (for mine anyway).

i'd just let it carry on...dead head when needed and just cut back to control it's growth if needed.

I cut mine back in mid to late spring, according to the weather. By then it should be making lots of new growth at the base and the old stems can be completely removed

I would certainly advise on giving them some winter protection should we face the long prolonged severe temps that we had last year, here in the east mids all the gardens i manage lost their penstomens, trim slightly in spring and propagate by taking cuttings if you so wish, very easy to take.

Great, thanks to everyone who has replied - that's really helpful - presumably Julien, I would take cuttings to propogate in the spring?

I agree with all previous advice.

I usually take my penstemmon cuttings in early summer. I guess thery'd take alright in spring though

I took cuttings as late as September - in water - and they all rooted well. I've been potting them on over the last few weeks. I get almost 100% success in water, amazing though it might seem!

I look as if Im the only one that gives my penstemons a late haircut! I always tidy them up late Sept; and again in late Spring. Having said that some are hardier than others, I have found that heavenly blue can be very tender and needs protection where is red garnet is very hardy. I take cuttings in sept and leave in a cold greenhouse in the clear plastic module that I bought the plugs in I have about five out of six strike.

Hey - thanks for all your replies - I'm really yearning for spring now...... I'm very heartened Maggy7 because I think my penstemon is a red garnet too so hopefully next year I'll have loads of cuttings too. x

I also take cuttings up to late September Spritz. I have very light sandy soil and find they take quite well in a shady protected position outdoors.

I take very firm cuttings about 6-8 inchews long and sink them two thirds into the ground. The top growth may die in the frosts but they'll often reshoot from 3 inches below ground.

Thanks - I haven't got sandy soil, so they might not 'take' in my garden. However, I do also manage to propagate them by pinning stems down. That seems to work, if I have space.

They would probably take if you put an inch or so of sharp sand in the bottom of the hole Spritz

I might well try that, Anchorman. Thanks. :-)

Amazing ... any penstemmon I touch before fuscias need cutting down have died back to nothing, so I now leave well alone until new sprouts appear at their base, and cut back to two or three spurs. It has been recommended to take cuttings and ditch main plant, but I have plants in-situ for five years now.

Its best not to cut too far down I dont go into the hard wood!! I just shape mine up and keep them a managable tidy size.