Penstemons: Plants or seeds for flowers this year?

[robstott]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with growing penstemons?

I bought a packet of seeds without paying as much attention as I should have to the info on the back (schoolboy error) - if I understand it correctly, they can take up to four months just to germinate. I really wanted some flowering in the garden this year and I can't quite believe they'll grow fast enough to do that.

If I plant seeds now, am I likely to see any flowers this year? Or would I be better off buying some plants? Or both?

Any advice much appreciated!

Thanks
Rob

[Scarlet]

Personally I would buy plants...there's a little nursery near me that sells them for £3. They are also easily grown from cuttings.

[seasprout]

I have grown penstemons from seed & had them flower the same year.
but sow early. Like now under cover.

[Mrs Bee]

I have sown from seed but I did it early and I also bought plants because I could see the colours of the flowers.

Plants are good value because I cut the plant in three and end up with 3 plants from each one.

You can also wait until they are established in the garden and peg some of the stems into the earth, which will root and you can then separate from the main plant and get lots more plants to dot around your garden.

[robstott]

Thanks for the advice, everyone.