When to Plant Foxglove Seeds for a Beautiful Garden Display

Foxgloves are one of the most iconic cottage garden flowers. With their tall spires of tubular blooms in shades of purple, pink, yellow and white, they add a whimsical, romantic feel to any garden.

Getting the timing right for planting foxglove seeds is crucial to ensure success and enjoy their majestic blooms in your garden In this article, we’ll explore when and how to sow foxglove seeds for optimal germination, growth and flowering

An Overview of Foxgloves

Before delving into timing, let’s briefly go over some foxglove basics:

• Foxgloves are biennials or short-lived perennials meaning they take two years to complete their lifecycle.

• In the first season, they form a rosette of leaves. The dramatic vertical bloom stalks emerge in year two.

• Common foxglove species include Digitalis purpurea (common purple foxglove) and Digitalis grandiflora. Newer hybrids flower in the first year.

• They thrive in rich, well-drained soil and prefer a bit of afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.

• Foxgloves self-sow readily, producing abundant seedlings beneath mature plants.

When to Sow Foxglove Seeds Outdoors

Spring is the ideal season for sowing foxglove seeds directly outdoors in prepared garden beds. Here are some guidelines for timing:

• In most zones, aim to sow seeds 4-6 weeks before your last expected spring frost.

• Foxgloves can handle some cold, so you may even sow a bit earlier, up to 8 weeks pre-frost.

• Wait until the soil has warmed to at least 40-45°F before sowing.

This spring planting schedule allows enough time for seeds to germinate and become established before hot summer weather arrives.

Fall Planting of Foxgloves

Foxglove seeds can also be sown in late summer to early fall, from August-September, depending on your zone.

• This fall planting gives seeds a head start on root growth before going dormant for winter.

• Come spring, established plants are ready to surge into lush foliage and bloom production.

• Fall-sown foxgloves may bloom up to 2 weeks earlier than spring plantings.

Just be sure to sow at least 6-8 weeks before your first expected fall frost so seedlings have ample establishment time.

Starting Seeds Indoors

For an even earlier jump on the season, foxglove seeds can be started indoors in late winter.

• Sow seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before your last spring frost date.

• Use a sterile seed starting mix and provide strong light to encourage germination, which takes 14-21 days.

• Transplant seedlings into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Harden off plants first.

• Take care not to start seeds too far in advance or leggy, weakened plants may result.

How to Sow Foxglove Seeds Outdoors

Now that we’ve covered timing, let’s discuss techniques for direct sowing outdoors:

• Prepare soil by loosening and mixing in compost or aged manure to improve drainage and nutrients.

• Foxgloves prefer organically rich, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Remove any weeds.

• Rake soil smooth and water thoroughly the day before sowing. Moist soil is crucial for germination.

• Scatter seeds across prepared soil, spacing 2-3 feet apart. Foxglove seeds are tiny—just gently press them into soil.

• As seeds require light to germinate, do not cover with soil after sowing. A light sprinkling of vermiculite is ok.

• Water gently with a fine mist to avoid displacing seeds. Keep soil moist but not soggy for 10-20 days until sprouts emerge.

• Weed and thin seedlings to 12-18 inch spacing once they reach 2 inches tall.

Follow these tips for optimal foxglove germination and growth!

Ongoing Care of Foxgloves

Once your foxgloves are up and growing, they require minimal care:

• Water deeply during droughts to encourage deep roots. Avoid wet foliage, which can encourage disease.

• Mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.

• Stake tall varieties for support in windy sites.

• ** Remove spent bloom spikes** back to the basal leaves after flowering concludes.

• For biennials, allow plants to self-sow for future generations. Thin seedlings in fall.

• Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas that promote leggy growth.

With the right care, foxgloves are relatively easy to grow, delivering delightful cottage garden appeal!

Tips for Successful Foxglove Germination

As foxglove seeds are so tiny, achieving good germination takes a few extra steps:

• Start with fresh seed each year for best viability. Store extra seed in the fridge.

• The ideal soil temperature for germination is 60-65°F. Use a heat mat if sowing indoors.

• Gentle bottom watering prevents seeds from being displaced. Allow soil to nearly dry between waterings.

• Cover trays or beds with plastic sheeting or cloches to conserve moisture. Monitor for fungal diseases.

• Provide 14-16 hours under grow lights or bright indirect light for indoor-sown seeds.

• If germination is spotty, periodically disturb the top 1⁄4 inch of soil to expose more seeds to light.

Don’t give up if foxglove seeds are slow to sprout. Given proper conditions, they will germinate in 1-3 weeks.

Troubleshooting Poor Foxglove Germination

If you are struggling to get foxglove seeds to germinate, here are a few common issues to check:

• Old or low-quality seed—Always start with fresh seed stored properly. Discard seed over a year old.

• Incorrect planting depth—Foxglove needs light to germinate, so take care not to cover with too much soil.

• Soil too cold—Germination improves above 60°F. Use a heat mat or wait for warmer soil temps.

• Soil too dry—Ensure consistent moisture, especially for the first 2 weeks. Cover beds with plastic.

• Damping off disease—Fungal issues can kill seedlings; allow soil to dry between waterings.

• Rodents or birds—Use wire mesh covers to protect newly planted beds from predators.

Following the tips above maximizes your chance of success with foxgloves from seed. Don’t get discouraged by slow germination!

Ideal Conditions for Growing Foxgloves

Though easy to grow, foxgloves thrive best when provided with ideal conditions:

• Light – At least 6 hours of sun, with afternoon shade in hotter zones.

• Soil – Rich, humus-heavy soil enhanced with compost. Neutral to slightly acidic pH.

• Water – Average moisture. Avoid wet leaves. Drought tolerant once established.

• Temperature – Thrives in cool conditions, 60-75°F. Suffers above 80°F.

• Fertilizer – Moderate feeder. Apply balanced organic fertilizer in spring.

• Maintenance – Stake tall varieties. Remove spent blooms to encourage re-blooming.

Replicating foxgloves’ preferred mountain habitat gives you the best chance of success!

When Do Foxgloves Bloom?

One of the most frequent questions about foxgloves is when they bloom. Here’s what to expect:

• Seeded spring – Will bloom early-mid summer of the following year (their second season).

• Seeded summer/fall – Bloom in late spring-early summer of the second season.

• Fall transplants – Will bloom the following late spring/early summer.

• First year hybrids – Bloom late spring-early summer, depending on planting date.

• Perennial types – Can re-bloom for 2-3 years in zones with mild winters.

So for biennials and perennials, the first year is dedicated to establishment before the floral show begins! Knowing your variety’s lifespan helps predict bloom time.

Extending the Foxglove Bloom Period

The individual blooms on a foxglove last 1-2 weeks. But you can prolong the collective display in your garden by:

• Staggering plantings over 4-6 weeks for a continuous sequence of blooms.

• Choosing an early, mid, and late season type to overlap blooming times.

• Deadheading spent spikes to encourage secondary blooming on some varieties.

• Allowing pods to mature for abundant self-sown plants in future years.

With planning, you can enjoy foxglove flowers for 2 months or longer!

Are Foxgloves Poisonous? Safety Tips

Foxgloves are very beautiful but also quite poisonous, so take precautions:

• Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling plants. The leaves, flowers, and roots contain digitalis glycosides.

• Wash hands thoroughly after touching any plant parts. Keep children and pets away from foxgloves.

• Do not consume any part of the plant. All sections are unsafe to ingest.

• Remove spent blooms to prevent reseeding in areas accessible to children.

• Dispose of uprooted plants and debris carefully, especially in livestock areas.

The toxins in foxgloves affect heart rhythm, so handle with caution and keep away from mouths!

Choosing the Best Foxglove Varieties

With so many foxglove options, it can be tricky to select the right ones for your needs:

• Common Purple – Heirloom with purple-pink bells wrapped in speckled throats.

• Camelot Lavender – First year blooms in soft periwinkle. 20-24 inches tall.

• Camelot White –Pure white, first year flowering. 18-20 inch compact habit.

• Dalmatian Purple – Vivid purple with white speckled centers. Blooms first year.

• Foxy Mix – A blend of pink, red, yellow, lavender, and white blooms. Height around 36 inches.

• Strawberry Foxglove – Perennial bearing pinkish-red blooms with spotted throats, 36 inches tall.

Visit your local nursery and seed racks to see foxglove varieties firsthand. The choices are endless!

Companion Plants for Foxgloves

The vertical shape and colorful blooms of foxgloves complement many other flowers. Consider combining them with:

• Poppies – Red oriental poppies or pastel Shirley poppies brighten up foxglove’s cool tones.

• Catmint – Purple catmint weaves nicely through the base of the towering bloom spikes.

• Astilbe – Soft, feathery astilbe in white or pink makes an elegant neighbor.

• Columbine – The red and yellow blooms of columbine mingle playfully with foxgloves.

• Larkspur – Blue larkspur provides a nice contrast to pink or white foxglove blooms.

There are so many pleasing foxglove pairings to try in your garden beds, borders and containers!

Frequently Asked Questions about Growing Foxgloves

Here are answers to some other common foxglove questions:

How long do foxglove blooms last?

Each flower cluster on a foxglove stalk blooms for 1-2 weeks. The entire plant may bloom anywhere from 4-6 weeks depending on growing conditions.

Should foxgloves be cut back after flowering?

Yes, it’s best to cut back the faded flower stalks after all blooms finishes to neaten the plant’s appearance. Leave the basal leaves in place.

Can foxgloves be grown in containers?

Absolutely! Choose compact varieties under 3 feet and provide rich potting soil. Keep the roots cool with shade and ample water.

Are foxgloves poisonous to dogs?

Unfortunately yes, all parts of the foxglove plant are very toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. Keep pets away from foxgloves.

How do you prune foxgloves?

Other than removing spent bloom spikes, foxgloves require little pruning. You can trim off damaged leaves or cut back leggy plants by 1/3 their height in early spring.

Bringing the Magic of Foxgloves to Your Garden

With their romantic, old-fashioned appeal and colorful blooms, foxgloves are a must-have for cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and backyard wildlife habitats. Although their lifespan and growing needs require some planning, with the right care foxgloves are surprisingly easy to cultivate from seed.

Follow this complete guide to foxglove seed planting and you’ll be rewarded with a whimsical floral display year after year. Soon your garden will be overflowing with elegant, bell-shaped blooms on towering flower spikes. Just be sure to sow at the right time and tend with care—then let the foxgloves do the rest!