Penstemon Propagation

Also known as beardtongue, penstemon flowers are hardy native plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes, and they may be propagated using a number of different methods.

Cuttings

The American Penstemon Society states that most varieties of penstemon may be propagated through cuttings, including hybrids that cannot be propagated through seeds. Take cuttings that are firm but not woody, and take them at any point from the spring to the fall.

Alternatives

Penstemon may also be propagated from seeds, through division of the root ball or through layering, where a portion of the stem is stripped of leaves and then bent to the ground in order to root.

Stratification

When propagating penstemon from seed, the seeds need to be chilled over a period of months in a process called stratification. One common stratification method involves placing the penstemon seeds in a sandwich bag packed with perlite and placing the bag in the refrigerator. The seeds are then planted in the spring.

References

• American Pentstemon Society: Propagation From Seed
• American Pentstemon Society: Propagation From Cuttings
• American Pentstemon Society: Propagation