Overwintering guide
How to overwinter penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue'
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' in winter
Cutting penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' care
- Overwintering foothill penstemon 'margarita bop' — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' care guide
- Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' temperature range
- How often to water penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue'
- How to prune penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue'
- Common penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' — FAQ
Does penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' need to come indoors for winter?
Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 6 — winter lows around -23°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' over winter?
Cutting penstemon heterophyllus 'electric blue' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.