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indigo · 15-09-2014, 11:46 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 15/09/2014 09:45, wrote:
On Tuesday, August 28, 2001 10:04:08 PM UTC+1, Lynn Davies wrote:
Hi group I have been an reader for some time now but haven't had a question
for your good selves. Can anyone tell me why my penstemon hasn't flowered?
I pruned it in late April as per Alan T's instructions on Gardeners World.
I used the shoots on the offcuts to propagate new plants with a good measure
of success. Now the odd bit is the new plants are all in flower now but the
parent plant shows no sign of flowering at all! What did I do wrong or is
it possible that Alan 'God' Titchmarsh is giving out duff info!!!

Lynn (Magnolia)

I have a very healthy Sour Grapes penstemon but it has never flowered. It is a 3 year old plant and in a good sunny position. I have done everything possible for it (except sing to it!) but still no flowers. I will give it one more season but if I don't get flowers in 2015 then it will accompany me to the tip. However advice welcome. Paul

Hi Paul.
You might possibly be treating your plant too well. What's your soil
like? If it's lovely and rich the plant might be making lush leafy
growth at the expense of flower. Penstemons don't generally need much in
the way of extra feeding and cosseting to bloom well, IME.

Younger penstemon plants also tend to flower more prolifically than
older ones that have got a bit woody at the base. You could try growing
a few new ones from cuttings and see how they fare in a different site;
they're quite easy in a gritty compost mix, I find.

BTW - you've added your question as follow-up to a post from a very old
and defunct thread from 2001. Searches on Googlegroups will throw up
ancient posts from way back when, as well as current discussions.

--
Sue