Foxgloves - is it too late to plant seed now

selinasally · October 2020

And can I plant in seed trays and keep inside and then move out when they have germinated ? Hopefully my little greenhouse will arrive in 3-4 weeks

Fairygirl · October 2020

They don't need protected. They're completely hardy. Just sow outdoors - either where you want them to grow, or in trays/pots. Make sure the drainage is adequate, so that they don't drown. Tucked against a house wall helps with that if you're in a very wet area.

Pete.8 · October 2020

As Fg says above, foxgloves are tough as old boots.
Foxgloves flower in the spring and naturally drop their seed in mid-summer. The seed germinates and they grow into small plants before winter sets in and stops growth.
The following spring they shoot up and flower in late spring.

If it was me, I'd sow the seed around June next year and they will flower the following spring.
There's nothing to gain sowing them now - they still won't flower until 2022 and you risk the seeds rotting in the compost over winter, or if they do germinate earlier you may get small plants that flower late summer next next year - I know, I've done it

Lyn · October 2020

Pete.8 said:

If it was me, I'd sow the seed around June next year and they will flower the following spring.
There's nothing to gain sowing them now - they still won't flower until 2022 and you risk the seeds rotting in the compost over winter, or if they do germinate earlier you may get small plants that flower late summer next next year - I know, I've done it

Same here, I sow mine around May /June so they’re grown on well for planting out later that year or even spring the flowing year.

Fairygirl · October 2020

Yes - it's a bit late now, as you say @Pete.8. They flower and seed later here, but even so, some might germinate. Weather and location are the big factors - as with most plants.
I have some germinated [tiny] but they were just shaken into a tray from the plant a couple of months ago. By far the easiest way

selinasally · October 2020

I collected the seed from the plants I planted out this year which were a bit late - my problem is that in April when I tackled my garden initially I covered all the bed space which was not planted with bark to stop the wild garlic sprouting which had given me a headache

Fairygirl · October 2020

There's nothing to stop you sowing some, but take into account what we've said. It's not ideal, but if you keep them protected from drowning, and also from birds, you might get a few germinating. Keep some for doing next year though, when conditions are more favourable.
I stuck some chicken wire over mine, because the blackbirds often tip everything out, looking for food

Astro · October 2020

Is there a thought that the midway cold spell benefits foxgloves? As compared to a foxglove that's grown in a heated and artificially lit pollytunnel for example.

Fairygirl · October 2020

Probably @Astro. It's generally about replicating their natural reproduction process, and excess heat often leads to more problems than it solves - weaker, spindlier plants etc. The best results are usually when we follow that natural route, as much as we can anyway.

As gardeners, we like to meddle a bit though

Fire · October 2020

My foxgloves and hollyhocks get devasted by slugs. I'm trying to find a way to grow them.

selinasally · October 2020

I used nematodes three times this year - although that didn’t touch the molluscs 😟

Foxgloves - is it too late to plant seed now

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