How to Grow Common Foxglove (Digitalis) Plants:-The beautiful common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) grows every two years and is known for its tall spikes with bell-shaped flowers.
Foxgloves are beautiful and add vertical interest to fields. They come in a wide range of colors, from soft pastels to bright hues. Here’s a complete guide on how to grow and take care of common foxglove, whether you’ve done it before or not.
1. Understanding Foxglove
Foxglove comes from Europe and can be found in fields and along the edges of forests. Even though it is usually grown as an annual, in some situations it can act as a short-lived perennial. It’s a great addition to wildlife gardening because it brings in pollinators like bees and butterflies.
2. Choosing the Right Location
Foxgloves like some shade better than full sun. In hotter places, some shade in the afternoon can help keep you from getting too hot. Find a place with dirt that drains well and has a lot of organic matter in it. Foxglove can grow in a variety of soils, but it does best in sandy or loamy soils that keep water well.
3. Soil Preparation
Add compost or well-rotted manure to the dirt before you plant. Goal for a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. It is very important that the soil drains well. Stay away from places that tend to hold water, as too much water can cause root rot.
4. Planting Foxglove
Foxglove seeds can be planted in the yard in the spring or fall, or they can be brought inside 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. If you’re planting outside, rake the soil softly and spread the seeds out on top of it.
Foxglove seeds need light to grow, so put a small layer of soil over them. Keep the dirt moist all the time until the seeds germinate, which usually takes 14 to 21 days.
Plant plants 12 to 24 inches apart when you move them so they have room to grow tall. If you are growing bigger plants, make sure the roots are well-established and that the plants get a lot of water after being moved.
Also see:-Lungwort (Pulmonaria) Flower Care and Growing Tips
5. Watering and Mulching
It is very important to have consistent wetness, especially in the first year of growth. Deeply and often water your plants, especially when it’s dry outside.
Adding a layer of organic mulch, like straw or shredded bark, helps keep the soil wet and keeps weeds from growing. Make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the plant roots, though, or it could rot them.
6. Fertilizing
Foxgloves don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can help them grow well. Use it in early spring, before the plants start to grow new leaves. On the other hand, a layer of compost can provide enough nutrition without risking too much fertilization.
7. Pruning and Maintenance
If you want to stop the plant from self-seeding after the flowers have died, you can remove the fallen flowers. Cut back the leaves in late fall to clean up the yard. This can help keep bugs and diseases from staying over the winter.
8. Pests and Diseases
Foxgloves don’t get many pests, but aphids and slugs do like to eat them. Check your plants often for these pests’ signs and take action if necessary. Fungal diseases can happen, especially when it’s warm outside. Make sure plants have enough air flow by keeping them from being too close together and giving them enough space.
9. Companion Planting
Foxglove looks great with many different kinds of plants. For a rich look, try putting it with ferns, hostas, and other plants that can handle shade. It also looks great in mixed borders with perennials that flower at different times to make the show more interesting.
10. Seasonal Interest
Foxgloves bloom in late spring and early summer, adding a splash of color to the yard while many other plants are still getting established.
The tall spikes can grow up to 6 feet tall, which makes them great for adding structure and height. Their leaves stay thick and green all summer, making them interesting to look at even after they’ve bloomed.