By Memories
Surrey,
United Kingdom 
i lost all my penstemons last winter have built up a new collection this year they look beautiful at the moment what would be the best way to protect them this winter? they are in well drained soil but will only get full sun in the afternoon during the winter
7 Sep, 2011
Answers
Here are four that are fully hardy in my experience. If you have any of these you should be ok as we had -18c last year...........
http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/170916-penstemon/member/meanie
http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/210732-sues-ever-reliable-penstemon/member/meanie
These two only get morning sun in the winter.............
http://www.growsonyou.com/garden/show_garden_item/27120-penstemon-heavenly-blue
http://www.growsonyou.com/garden/show_garden_item/19598-penstemon-huskers-red
7 Sep, 2011
Why not take some cuttings as insurance? They root easily in water, so all you need to do is take off some non-flowering shoots, pop them in a jam-jar of water, and watch for roots to appear. Then pot them up individually and keep them in a frost-free place to grow on. Label each jar so you know which Penstemons they are.
7 Sep, 2011
I have a lot of Penstemons and have not lost any so far. I think its just luck which plants survive winters here in the SE Memories! I found that not cutting them right down till they start to regrow in the spring affords them some protection. I do not think lifting them will ensure they survive why not take some cutting instead?
7 Sep, 2011
They may be hardy in the southern part of the country, but not in the north west in the pennines, with temperatures of minus22c and lower. derekm
7 Sep, 2011
I realise that Derek- Memories is in Surrey.
7 Sep, 2011
I lost a few last winter. I was talking to the girl in the GC the other week and she assured me the one they had for sale (Southgate Gem) was hardy enough to withstand the weather up here in Scotland. Her advice was to cut the stems back to around 8" then cut right back once regrowth is apparent. Which would confirm Drc's advice.
I was sceptical but bought one to try it out, as I love these plants.
8 Sep, 2011
I do hope it survives Scottish as they are lovely plants
8 Sep, 2011
MEMERIES WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE THAT SENT REPLYS TO MY QUESTION RE
PENSTEMONS IF I TRY SOME OF ALL OF THEM THAT SHOULD DO THE TRICK. THANKS AGAIN HAPPY GARDENING
8 Sep, 2011
Previous question
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As penstemon,s are not completely hardy, the best way of ensuring that they survive the winter is to lift them and put them somewhere frost free, preferably a greenhouse, but a lot depends on what kind of winter we get, anything like last year and you will lose them. derekm.
7 Sep, 2011