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Penstemon seed heads, when to harvest?

Posted by wren-garden zone 5b/6 (My Page) on
Sun, Nov 1, 09 at 16:43

I have a group of Penstemon Mystica that have their tall flower scapes full of seed heads. When I cut into a seed pod it is green inside. The seeds look green too. How and when do you collect the seeds? I would love to winter sew them to expand the border and share. Elizabeth


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Penstemon seed heads, when to harvest?

From what you can see of seed image for Penstemon digitalis (of which Mystica is one) in linked image I'd say they need to age more on stems until they're tannish brown at least.

Link belove shows seed image for species Penstemon digitalis.

Checked my Husker's Red and single seeds inside pods are still green also.

If anyone has experience with Mystica and my assumption is incorrect that all the 'digitalis' Penstemon group have similar seeds I'm sure they'll advise you.

My Mystica are just finishing their first year so no flowers this year. Would think all Penstemon digitalis are the same as far as seed formation goes.

Good luck...can't wait to see mine bloom next year.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pentsemon digitalis Seed Image


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RE: Penstemon seed heads, when to harvest?

Thanks Newbie NJ, They are beautiful. The purple in the leaves and stems really show off the flowers. I love them. I did a little more reading and hear that Penstemon seeds STINK big time. I will be keeping them in the unheated shed. It is already November and they don't seem to be drying at all yet. I'll just have to keep watch.


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