vnginger, I think your foxgloves must be self-seeding if you've had the clump for years, because my understanding is that most foxgloves are biennial, so they would die after 2 or 3 years.

If they're not any older than that, then maybe they don't self-seed; sometimes the conditions aren't right even for notorious self-seeders. I know I tend to pull weeds from the bed so much and pile on mulch that I don't get many self-sowers (I do get campion but, for example, didn't get reseeding petunias and only got one nicotiana).

Rose

Mine self-seed in nice soil. It's been dry back where they are planted, but they still self seed nicely and the clump is growing slightly larger. I find they do not like clay, they would prefer nice, loose soil to get started in.
Some varieties of foxglove act more perennially than others.

GGG

Does anyone know how long a clump will last without selfsowing? I don't get much seed sprouting because I mulch a lot.
And...how long do foxgloves bloom if deadheaded?

I'm in the Commerce area.

Bumblebeez, if a clump doesn't self sow, and it is biennial, it will only last 2-3 years. I understand there are some perennial varieties now (which I don't have any of) and of course those would keep coming back for years. I read somewhere that if you deadhead the big flower spike that the side-shoots will then bloom nicely. I've never tried it but it would be worth a try. Foxgloves are among my favorite plants.. I just wish they would bloom ALL SUMMER! Vicki

I collected seeds from a foxglove last year and had literally hundreds of seedlings in a small window box. Unfortunately I lost many of them when I attempted to transplant them last fall. But I do have about a dozen and two are already showing buds.

I would try getting some of the seeds and starting them in a sheltered area and then transplanting.

Thank you all.

I have the clump for about 4 years. With all the seeds I saved & thrown down, I thought I would have thousands of babies by now if they self-sowed themselves. I think it's the clay that GGG mentioned. I need to put better soil around them. The clump does get bigger since I was able to trade some... but not as big of a clump as I would like.

I love them too!!! Got some more from last fall's trade that are about to bloom. Can't wait. :( I can't make the trade this spring.

Since I paid $13 for what turned out to be an annual last year, I'm glad I saved the seeds and planted them in a pot to get more plants. It's worth it. Between the mulch and the clay, I don't think there is a snowballs chance in heck that I will get any natural seedlings.

Silly question here.but how do you collect the seeds from the foxglove? I haven't had much luck with them, but keep trying.

I have never bought them because I thought they would be an annual for me and one that wouldn't bloom until frost either.

But they are beautiful!

The seeds will come in pods that form under each place along the stock that there was a flower. The pods are not ripe until they turn crispy and brownish, and the seeds are a dark nut brown inside.

You will need to dry the seeds before packaging.

GGG

I have "strawberry foxgloves" which DO reseed and are budded out now.They are not the dramatic colors,but they reseed well and I think the plant itself is dramatic in its form,even when it is not in bloom!

Beware, the seeds are tiny. But there are thousands of them. After the individual little flower falls off, a ball will form and slowly brown. The trick is to get to the ball when it is dried enough but hasn't opened and already spilled it seed. But if you get even a few, they seem to sprout easily some potting soil and maybe some jiffy mix on top. I just misted them and kept them on a shady porch until they took over the window box and I had to transplant in August. They stayed green throughout the winter and are now budding, I have one little flower open already. The orginal plant died last summer.

Lindabeth,
I think I got foxgloves from you in the fall??? They are blooming. Thank you! So you let your seeds drop, heh??? I will try that... I can never have too many of them...
tc

Oh boy... i was out earlier looking at the old clump... it's not doing well... leaves turning brown & no signs of flowers! boy, that is disappointing. Glad the ones from the fall trade are doing well. :(

I have read that in order for the foxglove seeds to disperse on their own properly you must clean out the mulch/leaves, etc. so they can get into the dirt. I suppose its because they are so very small....I don't know. However, give it a try and see if that will keep your foxgloves propagating on their own!