Debbie,
I have no idea what I did but I bought two different types of delphs last year. One survived and is growing quite quickly now! This delph was in a raised bed that we built off the porch and it has new topsoil and was mulched. The other bed was along the house, has lots of clay and also mulch. I don't know if the locations had anything to do with it or if it was just luck but I'm so excited to see it came back! I just LOVE blue flowers!

GL!

Thanks! I'll work more on the soil before planting. I had one scrappy foxglove, a friend started from seed, survive and look vigorous. None of my stars survived. I'll be anxous to see what happens next year.

Delphs like a rich soil and their roots kept cool, so mulch them well with compost and give them some afternoon shade.

I don't know about foxgloves, some of mine return and some reseed and others disappear. Go figure!

I can tell you about foxgloves my soil is mostly clay I amend it every year but come spring lo and behold that clay rises to top and I have to do it again but getting to the foxgloves most are biennials and very easy to grow from seeds so they will not bloom till 2nd year(unless it is "foxy") do not cut it down in fall just clip yuccy looking leaves in spring mine reseed themselves every year I am constantly giving plants away with plenty still in garden for me(I don't use mulch I weed)There are so many types they are my favorite. Patty