It might depend on the Penstemon, but I just cut the flower spikes off mine down to the base of the plant leaving the basal rosette of leaves. I have the species P. barbatus, and P. pinifolius.

BN

I do what birding_nut does, but only after I harvest seed. I've grown different varieties, and do the same for all (P. digitalis, P. strictus, P. mexicali, P. eatonii, P. barbatus).

Tracey,

How do you harvest the seeds? My Husker Reds are seeding now, and I want to harvest the seeds, but this is my first go at it.

Thanks!

Jen

The seedpods will turn a crispy brown and may slightly split at the top. I normally cut the entire stem off and toss in a paper bag. I usually have to remove the pod individually, crush it a bit, put them in a coffee filter, then wrap them. Be warned though; they smell pretty rancid! I have a very sensitive nose, and to me, they smell like poop. Others have said this as well. When I trade them, I put a warning on the label that they're "stinky seeds", LOL...

Can you plant the seeds this season or wait till next??----------thanks--ED

I winter sow my seeds. Penstemon need cold stratification in order to get good germination so I sow the seeds during the winter. Put the containers outside until spring. For more info on wintersowing check out the wintersowing forum

Penny