foxglove gone to seed

Can you tell me how to deal with foxgloves that have gone to seed. Should I cut off the tall stalks or should they be left. They have seeded all over the garden so I don't need any more plants.

 

just pull the whole thing up and compost it. Enjoy self seeds that come up in future years.

 

I would be careful about composting the seed heads - unless you want them everywhere. I would cut off the heads and just compost the rest. :D

 

Thanks Waco and Blackthorn for your replies but if I pull up the plants, will they come up next year in the same place. Also what should I do with the seed heads if they ought not to go in the compost heap? I would like to save a few of the current plants for next year, so should I move them now to a back border? Thanks for your advice.

 

most foxgloves are biennial, they grow from seed the first year then flower,seed and die the following year. so if you want plants in the same area you need to leave any seedlings in situ or move them to the area you want them. if there are no seedlings around the parent plant, let the seeds ripen either on the plant and let nature sort it out or cut the flower stalk and collect the seeds.you can then either sprinkle them where you want them or sow them into pots and thin the seedlings out. if your doing it this way, sow them around late july/august.

hope that helps!

 

Many thanks glenw for your advice. Am I right in thinking that this year's (new) seedlings will only flower 2 years hence?

 

hi floris, this years seedlings will flower next year. they will germinate and grow into a rosette of leaves this year and if in the ground will survive through the winter no probs( they probably will be ok in pots outside over winter too). next year they will then flower.