Let’s Grow Foxgloves! A Simple Guide to Cottage Garden Beauty
Want to add a touch of whimsical charm to your garden? Foxgloves are the answer! These stunning beauties are a favorite for adding that classic cottage garden vibe, and guess what? They’re super easy to grow from seed! Let’s dive into how you can have your own foxglove wonderland.
Growing foxgloves from seed is honestly one of the most rewarding gardening projects. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can fill your garden with these majestic flowers.
Foxgloves are usually biennial (or sometimes perennial), meaning they’ll bloom in their second year, showing off those gorgeous, bell-shaped flowers. But here’s a fun fact: some newer varieties can even bloom in their first year!
If you’re hoping to grow those beautiful heirloom varieties, just plant the seeds in late summer or early fall, and they should reward you with blooms next season!
Okay, here’s my little trick that I swear by: Instead of waiting until spring, I plant my foxglove seeds as soon as they’re ready – usually in mid-summer, right after they’ve gone to seed. This head start makes a world of difference!
Starting Foxglove Seeds: Indoor or Out?
Indoors:
- Sow your foxglove seeds in cell packs or flats. Gently press them into the soil, but don’t cover them! Foxgloves need light to germinate.
- Keep them cozy at around 65-75°F. You should see sprouts in about 2 to 3 weeks.
- Once they’re big enough, transplant your little seedlings into the garden, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart.
Outdoors:
- You can also directly sow the seeds into prepared beds outdoors after the last frost. Easy peasy!
Want more details on starting seeds indoors? Click here for all my best tips!
Picture This: Foxgloves in Spring
(Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Check out the foxglove plant where all the seeds come from, it is in full bloom in the spring. How gorgeous!
And right next to it, a stunning white one! Now, thanks to our buzzy friends, the bees and hummingbirds, these two probably cross-pollinated. That means we can’t be 100% sure what colors the seeds will produce – exciting, right? They could be white, fuchsia pink, or a mix of both!
How fun will it be to see what you end up with?
When to Harvest Your Foxglove Seeds
Here’s a peek at a foxglove stem packed with seeds, just waiting to be collected!
Once the flowers have finished blooming, you’ll notice the lower seed pods starting to dry and split open.
Now, the timing of this seed-ripening process depends on your local climate and when your plants bloomed. Mine usually bloom in late May/early June, so the seeds are ready by July. If you’re simply spreading out store-bought seeds, fall is a great time to do that!
Important Note: Is Foxglove Poisonous?
Yes, foxglove plants, leaves, and especially seeds can be poisonous if ingested. Plus, some people can get skin irritation just from touching them.
So, it’s a good idea to wear gloves while collecting seeds and avoid brushing against the leaves too much. I personally haven’t had any issues, but better to be safe than sorry, right?
Let’s Get Seed Collecting!
This is super simple, and it’s how I save seeds for all sorts of plants!
Grab a recycled plastic tub or any container you have handy and hold it under a foxglove seed pod. Then, use your hand pruners to snip the pod off, letting it fall into the tub.
You can work around the stems and collect the pods that way. Now, when the seed pods are dry and splitting open, even a little bump can scatter the seeds, so take it slow.
How to Sow Your Foxglove Seeds
When I want to sow lots of foxglove seeds in a specific area, I just cut the entire plant stem below the seed pods
Then, I gently carry the whole thing over to where I want to plant them and shake the seeds out of the pods directly onto the soil.
With thousands of seeds falling onto the soil, you’re sure to get some beauties that come out great next season.
The seeds will sprout in late summer or fall, then will get ready for winter. The following summer, the foxgloves will show off!
If too many sprout in one spot, it’s easy to dig them up and move them somewhere else in your garden, pot a few to share with friends, or add the extras to your compost.
Want More Foxglove Growing Tips?
Just click here! I show you all the ins and outs of successfully growing foxgloves in your garden. Don’t let them be tricky–I show you how to make it easy!
Here’s another great way to grow foxgloves from seed! Winter sowing!
Have issues with winter sowing? Check out my video:10 Winter Sowing Issues and How to Avoid Them!
Want to see the seed collection and distribution process in action? Check out my video!
Pair your foxgloves with a cool garden water feature, and you’ll have the perfect place for hummingbirds to hang out!
Happy gardening!