How to Grow Foxglove Flowers
How to Grow Foxglove Flowers
Gardeners Network
Biennial or Perennials, Digitalis
Now here is an old garden gem. Foxgloves have spikes of distinctive, freckle-throated bells that stud the flower stems. They provide a graceful, stately look in a partly shady garden. They are at home in the woodland or native garden, and look well in the back of the home garden.
Foxglove blooms during early summer in various shades of shell pink, rose, cream and white, with contrasting freckles. They are natives of Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa.
Caution: The leaves are poisonous. If you have children or pets, you might want to steer clear of this flower.
The poisonous substance in the leaves is called Digitalis. You may recognize this as a chemical sometimes used in the treatment of heart disease.
Propagation:
Foxglove are started from seed. Sow Foxglove seed directly into your flower garden after all danger of frost. They can also be spread around fields as a wildflower.
Sow seeds early in the season and cover lightly with 1/8" of garden soil. Give them plenty of room. Final spacing should be 24". We recommend sowing a few seeds every 24", marking the position. Then, thin the seedlings to one after they have sprouted and grown an inch or two.
How to Grow Foxglove Plants:
Foxglove like full sun to partial shade. They will grow quickly to a height of 2 to 5 feet, depending upon the variety you have selected for your yard or woodlands area.
Foxglove will do well in average soils and in cool weather. The soil needs to be kept moist to feed their quick growth.Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Adding a general purpose fertilizer once a month will result in bigger, fuller blooms.
Cut blooms just before they reach their peak. Place them in a vase and arrange with other flowers, or alone by themselves.
Insect and Disease:
Insects and disease problems are not a major problem. If problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.
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