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Second year foxgloves?

Julia1983Julia1983 Posts: 139
in Problem solving
Hi all, I ordered some digitalis purpurea 'virtuoso lavender' from the secret garden club, they've arrived looking fairly healthy but looks to me like there are old flower spikes which have been cut back, so this summer would be their third year. I've always been led to believe that foxgloves only really flower well once?  I'm happy to plant them up and see what happens but wondering if I should get more in.. I'm growing from seed at the moment but would like a nice display this year....

Posts

  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    I thought all foxgloves were biennial, but I have one that's in its fourth year.  It arrived out of nowhere, and gets bigger and better every year.  It has produced two self seeded offspring, and every year I harvest squillions of seeds which I distribute via the seedswap. 
  • Julia1983Julia1983 Posts: 139
    Thanks, might be good then!  I'll plant them up and see what happens... 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,300
    they often go on for another year or so but I'm surprised they're being sold having flowered already. 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,949
    I also find they often flower a second time the following year but usually the flower spike is much smaller and not very impressive

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    If you like foxgloves you might want to consider some of the perennial species, such as Digitalis lutea and Digitalis grandiflora. I used to grow them, on clay, and will again when funds permit. They didn't go on forever, but lasted several years, flowering each year.
  • LynLyn Posts: 22,870
    If my Lutea come up again this year I can save seeds @DampGardenMan. Just means the waiting game😀
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Julia1983Julia1983 Posts: 139
    DampGardenMan said:
    If you like foxgloves you might want to consider some of the perennial species, such as Digitalis lutea and Digitalis grandiflora. I used to grow them, on clay, and will again when funds permit. They didn't go on forever, but lasted several years, flowering each year.
    Thanks, I have got a grandiflora this year too which I have put in the front garden so I will see how that does 😊  love watching bumblebees pop in and out of the flowers... 
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Lyn said:
    If my Lutea come up again this year I can save seeds @DampGardenMan. Just means the waiting game😀
    Ta!
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Julia1983 said:
    Thanks, I have got a grandiflora this year too which I have put in the front garden so I will see how that does 😊  love watching bumblebees pop in and out of the flowers... 
    Yes, I always find that amusing too. Should have called them bee-pods or something :smile:
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