How to Garden Foxgloves

Foxglove is an easy-to-care-for wild plant.

Easy-to-grow foxgloves add an airy, old fashioned look to the garden. Blooming in shades of purple, white, pink, red and yellow, foxgloves range in height from about 2 to 6 feet. Almost all types of foxglove begin blooming the year after they are started from seed. Because foxglove is the source of heart medication and all parts of the plant can be deadly if ingested, it's better not to grow the plant where children might be tempted to touch or pick it.

Things You'll Need

• Foxglove seed
• Tiller or spade
• Stakes or cages (for taller varieties)

Instructions

1. Find a suitable planting location. Foxglove thrives in light shade if the climate is temperate. If the area is hot, however, plant them in part or full shade. Hot afternoon sun is especially hard on foxgloves. Foxgloves also prefer well draining soil that's slightly acidic (pH 6 to 7.5).

2. Till the soil before planting, once the ground can be worked in the spring. Use a rototiller or a spade.

3. Water the tilled area well in mid-spring, after the last threat of frost has passed.

4. Sow foxglove seeds, following the seed packet directions for depth and spacing. Generally, foxglove seeds are sown about 16 inches apart.

5. Stake taller varieties once seedlings are several inches tall. Using a hammer or mallet, pound a wooden or metal stake into the soil several inches from the base of the plant. As the foxglove grows, secure it to the stake with twist ties or twine. Alternatively, secure a garden cage around foxglove seedlings.

6. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around seedlings. Don't allow the mulch to touch the seedling stalks, however.

7. Irrigate regularly, especially under hot conditions. Foxgloves prefer moist soil.

8. Cut back foxglove once it stops blooming for the season, if desired. If you want the foxglove to spread seeds, wait until late fall to cut the plant down to the ground.

9. Divide clumps of foxgloves every four years or so. Division is appropriate either in the fall or spring.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer to collect foxglove seed from your garden, "The Telegraph" recommends not storing the seed. Instead, sow the seeds right away.

• Foxglove seeds may be started indoors, but because they bloom their second year, there is no real benefit to this method.

References

• The Telegraph: How to Grow Foxgloves
• Old Fashioned Living: Growing Foxgloves
• Texas AgriLife Extension Service: Foxglove