skip to main content

Northwestern Gardening

need foxglove help

17 years ago

First, thanks everyone for all ideas for self-seeders (in another post). Several people recommended foxglove. I'm having a problem with mine. I've planted seed twice, once from a packet and once from a friend. Gotten nice plants, let some go to seed, and have shaken the seed out in the areas where I want them to re-seed. Did seedlings come up where I wanted them to (in the back of the bed, or up against fence or shed)? Noooooooooo! Lots of seedlings came up happily in the bark mulch I use on my paths. No soil, no additional watering. But in the way! So I've tenderly transplanted the new seedlings. They grew and flowered in their new spot, but then disappeared. More volunteers in the mulched paths. What's a gardener to do?

Do they WANT to grow in bark mulch? I'll be happy lay down bark to plant them in.

Do they want more sun? Then I'll have to give up having them where I want them.

Do they want to grow in a more open area, with less competition from other plants? Can do that, if I dedicate the bed to foxgloves.

Do they want dryer conditions than in my flower beds?

Please advise...before I transplant the current crop.

Daphne in Tacoma

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

buyorsell888
17 years ago
Mine also reseed where I don't want them and certainly not where I do want them. I just transplant some and pull up some.

I would imagine that they do want open conditions and do want more sun, you see them growing along the road in the open and in clear cuts with the fireweed. However, it is my garden and I'll transplant them where I want them. ;)
Embothrium
17 years ago
Millions of them on clearcuts in western Washington foothills. Lots of sun there. But I think it is enabled by the higher precipitation of areas east of most populated portions. Jacobson, WILD PLANTS OF GREATER SEATTLE says

"FOXGLOVE is a bennial or short-lived perennial that comes up wild in many places, favoring rich soil and part shade; it hates hot, dry, sunny sites."
Related Discussions
help me with foxglove
Q
Comments (17)
Ellenr, Digitalis x mertonensis is a hybrid of Digitalis purpurea (biennial) and D. grandiflora (perennial) and is supposed to grow like a short-lived perennial. I don't think your seeds are going to sprout until it warms up so don't worry. Although Foxglove is pretty hardy, and remains semi-evergreen over the winter even in my zone. I've winter-sown D. purpurea and bought plants - it is pretty much biennial but sometimes comes back for a 3rd year if deadheaded. D. grandiflora has been reliably perennial. Oddly, I tried to winter-sow D. grandiflora 2 years in a row (commercial seeds) with NO germination. But the plants I bought from Bluestone, have reseeded in the gardens nicely! Go figure.
...See More
Foxglove Digitalis Hybrida Seeds
Q
Comments (8)
Thanks, everyone! T&M should hire some of us to write seed descriptions. "Smaller than poppy tiny" and "the size of a flea on a flea's flea" lets me know what I am dealing with. :) And I am definitely going to follow your advice, Laura, and buy a cheap pack of foxglove seeds-not pelleted,so I know what I'm dealing with now and in the future. My garden wants some foxgloves! I am continually awed by what a large, stunning plant can sprout from something so tiny. Miracle! :) cheers, Norabelle
...See More
Foxglove help, please....hos?
Q
Comments (10)
I think that I'll try to seperate smaller hunks from each small pot and transplant into the little plastic cups. I'll have enough to plant everywhere and share. I'll also try the method that Elvis suggested. I've definitely got enough to try a few different things and hopefully end up with some strong plants when the time is right. Last year, I tried HOS with a few different varieties but I had the same "problem" but never asked...a buzzillion tiny seedlings that never took hold. Thanks for your advice and help! I'm hoping this year will be different. Happy Gardening!!
...See More
Foxglove. Is it possible?
Q
Comments (5)
If you try growing it from seed again, try a few things. First, solarize the area you are going to grow it in. Do this by putting a layer of black plastic down. You can top this with a clear sheet, spaced an inch or so over the black plastic, for even better results. Then leave this for about a week or so. Pretty much any disease (anthracnose and verticillium wilt are two common foxglove problems) in the soil will be killed by the extreme heat. Obviously, this can only be done if no other plants are in this area at the time. Secondly, when you water, do so in the mornings and maybe use a soaker hose instead of overhead watering. Choose an area that doesn't stay wet or swampy. Lastly, watch for pests such as aphids or beetles. If you go to all this trouble and they don't do well, I'd definitely give up. (-:
...See More
reg_pnw7
17 years ago
Around here foxglove is a full sun or light shade plant. In the rest of the country they're shade plants so people moving here tend to think they need shade here to but they don't. And most all the gardening books list them as shade plants too. Not so here. Reseeders will reseed where they want, not where you want. You can always transplant the volunteers. They do like organic matter and moisture and don't seem to mind competition, I have them coming up all over my raised bed right in with all the other plants, in a southern exposure with sun nearly all day long - long enough for the roses to thrive. I like it fine that way. Some get yanked, some get moved. They're not long lived perennials as stated above, but biennials that reseed and put out offshoots. You see them all over in sunny roadcuts and clearcuts and disturbed pastures, the key is moist soil.
Embothrium
17 years ago
>In the rest of the country they're shade plants so people moving here tend to think they need shade here to but they don't.Jacobson has lived here for ~46 years. I know what he's talking about, in drier areas near the Sound they aren't as good in sunny spots that dry out as shaded ones that don't bake.
daphnexduck
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, guys! Once again, the best advice comes from REAL gardeners. GardenWeb rocks!!!

I now know where to shake my seeds for the best results.
Daphne in Tacoma
Les1238_yahoo_com
12 years ago
I brought home two blooming foxgloves in a pot from a nursery and set them out in my forested yard to acclimate. Then I pulled a classic purple thumb boo boo and forgot about them. Now the stalks of both have bent in the middle and collapsed. No teeth marks: I think they just got too dry. This is a forested part of Seattle and we've been having light rain--just not enough (maybe) to keep these flowers happy.

How can I nurse them along so they can reseed? There are many unopened buds and many of the already opened blossoms are hanging on ....will the plants survive long enough? I was considering splinting the weakened area of the stalks with cardboard and tape to see if that helps. Any suggestions?

Related Stories

KIDS’ SPACES 15 Ideas for a Children’s Discovery Garden

By Laura Gaskill

Pique curiosity and encourage creativity by adding play features that appeal to kids’ imagination and senses

FALL GARDENING Why Fall Is the Best Time for Planting

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Spring is overrated for planting. Starting plants in autumn has advantages for both garden and gardener

PATIOS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Pocket Patio

By Annie Thornton

How small can you go? We want to see your compact garden designs

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Give Your Garden More Soul

Feel more at home in your garden by giving it deep, personal meaning

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Create a Cottage-Style Garden

By Claudia De Yong Garden Design

If you like an abundance of plants — and visits from birds, bees and butterflies — this may be the style of yard for you

INSPIRING GARDENS Spring Garden Ideas From Colonial Williamsburg

By Paintbox Garden

Discover old-time resourcefulness — how gardeners worked the land, used local materials and more — to apply to your landscape today

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy

MOST POPULAR Creative Ideas for Small Front Yards

By Laura Gaskill

A little imagination goes a long way in a petite landscape

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

GARDENING GUIDES Oh, Deer! 10 Native Flowers That Stand Up to the Herds

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keeping a garden amid hungry deer can be hard, but these plants should fare well

Sponsored

More Discussions

Helleborus 'Garnet Frills'

4

Time for Winter to Go!

5

My favorite plant, Easter 2024

4

We wants it! (But will it rule them all?)

10

winter losses on new plants

2