Foxgloves indoors or out over winter?

mirjambrady

I've grown foxglove seedlings indoors and they each have 4 leaves now (it's the end of October). Should I put them outside over the winter (I have an unheated greenhouse) or leave them indoors? We are in Scotland!

Fairygirl

Outside - they're hardy - even here! 

Tuck them in a sheltered place if they're little. Mine were against the house wall and a timber screen all last winter. In fact, most of them are still there...

raisingirl

just make sure they don't dry out. The cold shouldn't trouble them but a cold wind or long spell without rain (does that ever happen in Scotland these days?) will shrivel those soft leaves.

Fairygirl

Mine even came back after some dry weather in spring,raisingirl - when they looked dead and done for.

First spell of rain and they were fine. The little 'uns are sheltered from the worst of the wind though  

oakridge

Foxgloves must like acid soil because they must like those conditions.  They make a beautiful show in the field every year.  Of course we only get commnon or garden blue, but they still look lovely.

mirjambrady

thank you all! So it doesn't harm them if I move them from our warm windowsill to single-figure temperatures? I have a mental image of them all shivering ;-)

Last edited: 29 October 2016 09:29:45

chicky

Was going to plant mine out in the garden this weekend (grown from plugs this Spring) - wasn't sure it was the right thing to do, but now I am reassured

Fairygirl

If you've had them on a cosy windowsill, stick them outside for the day, and do that for a few days, then leave them out. Don't subject them to the worst aspect though - give them the shelter of  a wall or similar, and they'll be fine. I also use other plants to give them some protection. They don't dry out then either. 

raisingirl

Fairygirl says:

If you've had them on a cosy windowsill, stick them outside for the day, and do that for a few days, then leave them out.  

See original post

.... and bring them in at night time. Just to be clear 

Or move them to your unheated greenhouse for a few days, perhaps, as a transition before you put them outside.