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How do I keep this flowering?

ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
in Plants
Got a cracker of a foxglove and would like to prolong  the flowers for as long as possible, is there anything I need to do?

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    If the weather is dry, keep him watered but for the size of the plant, there are sufficient flower spikes on there.  A nice specimen  :)
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    They can have more flower spikes as the season progresses but they will be shorter.
    I agree with @philippasmith2 regarding watering. Beautiful.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
    philippasmith2 said:
    If the weather is dry, keep him watered but for the size of the plant, there are sufficient flower spikes on there.  A nice specimen  :)
    It really is the top flower spike is close to 6ft.  Is any dead heading required?
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Not until the flower spikes are finished.  If you want to save any seeds, let the pods dry on the plant before picking off and storing for future use.
    As @GardenerSuze says, you may well get further flower spikes later but for the moment, it looks pretty well full to me.
    You can take off the tallest spikes to encourage the smaller ones but not much point IMO.
    Well done in such a healthy plant - especially in this weather  :)
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Nowt to add, but they're gorgeous foxgloves!
  • LilyRoseLilyLilyRoseLily Posts: 3
    That's beautiful, I'm rather envious
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    As the flowers nearer the top start to open,  the bottom ones could start to set seeds,  I rub my hand down the stem to take those off.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
    LilyRoseLily said:
    That's beautiful, I'm rather envious
    Thank you, I'm sitting just in front of it in the shade having a beer with the bees buzzing away just behind me,  absolute bliss😊
  • ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
    Lyn said:
    As the flowers nearer the top start to open,  the bottom ones could start to set seeds,  I rub my hand down the stem to take those off.
    That's what's happening in the larger stems, would doing that encourage fresh blooms?
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