Foxgloves

[dataandspot]

I have lots of these which have self seeded from one or two plants.

I have just read that they are biennial. Does that mean they only live for two years or only flower every second year?

I have so many that if they die after two years I am going to have lots of spaces in the garden!!!

It means they take 2 years to reach maturity. So plant one year to flower the next year.

Sow enough over a few years and you'll get some coming up every year though.

You can get foxgloves that flower in the first year though, I've read. The 'Dalmation' series do, apparently. I've bought Dalmation rose and purple and am hoping for the best!

But don't they self-seed and germinate this year, then not flower till next year? So you won't only get them on alternative years, it's that you can't go, 'Oh, I think I'd like some foxgloves!' and plant them in the spring to flower a few months later.

I have a lovely patch of foxgloves too and can confirm you get them every year. They do indeed seed and start growing this season. Plus some seed from last year can hang around in the soil and germinate this year too ( like weed seeds can!)

I've got so many of them and move them around my gardn to spread them out.

Not many without flowers which is sad since these will now die.