Self seeded foxgloves

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I've been busy in the back garden recently but have rather neglected the borders in the front. Over the lockdown 5 or 6 new foxgloves have sprung up, and are coming into flower now.

They must have self seeded from next door, but I always thought that foxgloves didn't flower in their first year. Is this wrong, or is there a chance I just didn't spot them last year?!

I do like them, but have cats - how much of a risk would they pose (cats are not supposed to go out in the front at all, but occasionally make a bid for freedom)? Will dig the foxgloves up if necessary but quite fancy keeping them if risk is negligible.

I think they are only toxic if eaten, it’s not just cats they are toxic to, they are highly poisonous if eaten by children too.

The most dangerous plants for cats are lilies as just the pollen falling on them and being licked off can be fatal.

I wouldn’t be too worried about foxgloves unless the cats are the sort that chew everything

Thanks - I think the chances of the cats getting access to them and then chewing are vanishingly small. The DC are old enough to know better!

I always remember that Midsomer Murder where someone fed someone with foxgloves in their soup or something.

Foxgloves are my absolute favourite. Sooo beautiful and favourite with butterflies etc.

I admired them for years at Chelsea Flower shows when the kids were younger, but avoided using them in the garden... now I seem to have gained some unintentionally! They are lovely.

You probably didn't notice them - first year plants are quite small.

Our cats never show the slightest interest in foxgloves. As far as humans are concerned, it tastes quite bitter. There's a case of a Chinese couple who fell ill, having eaten foxglove leaves for dinner in mistake for kale - I can't imagine many young children going round the garden in search of "kale" to eat.

As children we used to pick the flowers off foxgloves and place them on our fingertips. Back before we knew they were toxic! Ooopss

They do flower in their second year but they tend to be small in their first year.
If you are clever you can get flowers from them the next year too. As soon as they go to seed cut the flower right down to the leaves, but leave the leaves.
As for being poisonous, yes they are, but so are daffodils.

Yes, I think I must have missed the plants last year, which doesn't say much for my weeding...