Foxgloves

ally.merry027T9DjTIHP

Hello Everyone, 

I am trying to solve a question, I've searched the forum the best i can (and the internet) and can't find the answer.

I sowed foxglove seeds last autumn and also in February, the plants that were sown in autumn flowered lovely.  The plants sown in February I planted out for flowering next year (I did read there was a small chance of them flowering late this year, but they didn't, which is fine) but the leaves are huge! If I give the plant a tidy up will I damage it?  I had cosmos in front of it so the leaves were hidden but the cosmos stopped flowering so my help husband pulled it out. 

Also a second thought, would it be safe to move the foxgloves to my woodland are I'm creating? 

Thank you in advance for your advice ☺️

Dovefromabove

I wouldn’t move a foxglove of that size … it'll have a large tap root and you run the risk of damaging it
and that’d be a shame … it looks as if it’s going to flower magnificently next year.

 However it’ll probably start to die back for the winter before long … is just leave it be and look forward to next May/June. 

I hope you show us some photos when it flowers 😊 

ally.merry027T9DjTIHP

I love foxgloves! I have some seedlings for my woodland. I will leave the big plants alone. Thanks for your advice. 

Fairygirl

I'd agree. Better to save some seed if you have any [or buy some] and repeat the process for your new area 
If you have any smaller plants you can certainly move them easily. 

cornelly

We have foxgloves in a area of trees, they self seed wherever they want to and we do enjoy them, 

Lyn

Did you plant that one almost under the wall?  What type of foxglove is it, I’ve never had any with leaves like that, they’re usually softer than that. 

Asarum

I don’t think that’s a foxglove!  Not sure what it is though, sorry. 

philippasmith2

As per @Lyn and @Asarum - the plant in the photo doesn't look like a Foxglove to me.

Time for @Silver surfer I think 

Dovefromabove

I was thinking that it looked like a D. ferruginea or one of the hybrids. 

philippasmith2

Thinking about it, as the OP sowed from seed, perhaps the name on the packet may help ?
Seems to have been many instances recently when seeds are sold as "something" but turn out to be either a different variety or a completely different species altogether.  Has happened with reputable suppliers as well as obvious dodgy sellers. 

Lyn

philippasmith2 said:

As per @Lyn and @Asarum - the plant in the photo doesn't look like a Foxglove to me.

Time for @Silver surfer I think 

I didn’t like to say outright in case the OP took offence.