Penstemon Care

I've struggled with the Electric Blue penstemon in the circle garden -- it remains a tiny, tiny thing after two years. It's smaller than when I first planted it. 

I found these recommendations on the High Country Gardens site -- and haven't followed most!

Tips for growing Penstemon (Beardtongue)

> They need:

1. elbow room, and don’t like to be crowded by other plants.
2. maximum sun 
3. heat 

> Plant only in well-drained soils; clay soils are incompatible.

> Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost and fertilizer will shorten their lifespan.

> They establish quickly and watering needs to be reduced after about 8 to 10 weeks to create dry conditions. When using drip irrigation, be sure to put the emitter off to the side of the plant, not right on top of the root ball to avoid overwatering the plant.

(I've been watering heavily for 2 years, thinking to get it growing)

> Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.

(I didn't do this)

> Mulch with gravel in arid climates. Always avoid bark or compost as mulch materials. 

     (I have it in bark mulch)

> Fertilize sparingly. One time each year in the fall is enough. Don't use high nitrogen water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro.

     (I've been fertilizing)

To keep penstemon with finely textured or matted evergreen foliage looking best, deadhead them. Shear off the fading flowering spikes just as the plant is going out of flower. Recommended for Penstemon pinifolius ‘Compactum'.

So . . 

. . . dig Electric Blue up, pot it to see if I can get it to grow in a container, and replace it with a reliable and sturdy deep purple 'May Night' salvia.