Q. Can you tell me anything about Penstemon? I grew it for the first time this summer; planted it as a small plant at the end of June. Although it looks strong and healthy, it hasn’t bloomed (or put out buds) and is only 5 inches tall at the most. Is this typical for the first year? – L.M., Surry

A. Yes, what you’ve described is typical, so long as the foliage looks “strong and healthy,” particularly if your plant underwent severe division before it came to live in your garden.

Penstemon should be grown in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Cultivars typically produce lots of bushy basal growth and bear upright stalks that produce tubular flowers in summer. Many cultivars require division every few years to ensure vigor. However, sometimes this process delays or reduces the incidence of blooming in that year.

Penstemon tends to be susceptible to powdery mildew, rust, leaf spots and some fungal blights. However, if you are seeing no disease symptoms, your plant is probably going to be fine and will likely yield beautiful blooms next summer.

Q. I saw your article in the BDN about watering. We have talked about using a soaker hose in our garden. How long do you keep it on and how much water do they use? – B.B., Troy

A. When I wrote about watering the garden, I mentioned the use of soaker hoses as an easy-to-find-and-use method of controlling and conserving water in the garden. However, your question points to the fact that, although convenient, they are an inexact means of delivering the ideal amount of water, since there is no accurate way of gauging application.

According to Rick Kersbergen, Cooperative Extension educator, soaker hoses deliver variable amounts of water. Over time, as they tend to “dry rot” and break down, delivering more water as cracks and holes develop. “This variability is what has driven most people to drip irrigation tape that delivers an even pattern throughout the line,” Rick says. “It comes in all sorts of sizes, durability, delivery methods, etc.”

Extension’s Mark Hutchinson has produced a bulletin on trickle irrigation, an irrigation method used by many commercial growers in which, under low pressure, water is delivered directly to the root zone of plants through a plastic “tape” with holes. If you are interested in learning more about this method of watering the garden, request Bulletin 2160, “Trickle Irrigation: Using and Conserving Water in the Home Garden,” from your local Extension office or from the Web at www.umext.maine.edu.

Q. For the past three years, I have planted “heavenly blue” morning glories (Burpee Seeds). All three years, the flowers have been a dark blue, almost purple. Do you know what is up with this? Remember the pretty pale blue flowers. I cannot seem to get them any longer. – P.T., Bangor

A. If you’ve purchased seed from a reputable company, the poor flower color is probably not a result of poor quality seed or inappropriately packaged seed. The seed should produce flowers that reasonably reflect the color you viewed in the catalog or on the Web.

Flower color may be influenced by the chemistry of your particular soil. Specifically, certain nutrients in the soil – or a lack thereof – may reduce or improve the hue of flowers. You might consider having your soil tested through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the University of Maine’s Analytical Lab. UMCE will provide a free testing kit and the lab will offer recommendations on how to manipulate soil chemistry.

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, 512 North Ridge Road, Montville 04941, or e-mail dianagc@midcoast.com. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.