The question of winter hardiness cannot be answered with a general yes or no when it comes to non-toxic beardtongue, because the different species have different robustness. However, you should not hibernate the varieties designated as hardy without winter protection.

Some varieties of penstemon are hardy

This is how they protect your whiskers from frost and cold

If you want to overwinter your penstemon outside in the bed, then do not cut it back in the fall. If you wait until next spring, the wilted foliage will protect the plant a little from the cold and the plant can still gather strength before winter

Also, cover your penstemon with a layer of leaves or twigs. However, this type of hibernation is only recommended for the more robust species and not necessarily in a very harsh area. If you are in doubt about the winter hardiness of your plant, it is better to opt for a frost-free winter quarters.

How to hibernate your penstemon in winter quarters

Bedding plants need to be dug up in a frost-free area for overwintering. It is therefore advisable to plant sensitive and not hardy varieties of penstemon straight away in a bucket or flower box (€16.99). The greenhouse or a winter garden are suitable as winter quarters. If neither is available, place your plants in the stairwell or in the basement.

Cut back the plants before you transport them to the winter quarters, this makes this work easier for you and also for winter care. Water your penstemons only a little in winter and do not give fertilizer at all. Check from time to time whether your plants are still healthy and not being attacked by pests.

The best winter tips for your whiskers:

  • only robust varieties overwinter in the bed
  • Do not cut back bedding plants until next spring
  • Overwinter potted plants and tender varieties frost-free
  • pour little
  • do not fertilize

tips

If you are not sure whether your penstemon is hardy, it is better to overwinter your plant in a frost-free winter quarters.

Category:

Vegetable garden