Foxgloves in Barnhill
Digitalis purpurea
A hardy biennial for UK gardens, foxgloves are usually grown from seed sown in early summer, then moved to their flowering position once plants are sturdy. They flower the following year and often self-seed freely, so leave a few spikes if you want them to return. All parts are toxic, so wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Foxglove
Planting Calendar
Sow Seeds
13 Apr – 14 JulSow thinly around 13th April - 14th July in trays, modules, or a prepared seedbed. Use a light covering of compost and keep the surface just moist. Wear gloves when handling seed and plants, and wash your hands after sowing because every part of the plant is toxic.
Thin Seedlings
19 Jun – 10 JulWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out so the strongest plants can develop without crowding. Keep the compost or soil evenly moist, but don't let it stay soggy.
Transplant Young Plants
6 Sept – 11 OctMove sturdy young plants to their final positions around 6th September - 11th October. Space them apart in moist, free-draining soil with some light shade, then water them in thoroughly straight away.
Protect and Grow On
23 Sept – 22 NovFrom 23rd September, keep plants watered in dry spells and protect them from slugs, which can badly damage young rosettes. If the weather turns sharp after moving them, use fleece or cloches for a short spell until roots take hold.
Flower and Deadhead
22 Mar – 21 MayFlowers should open from 22nd March and can continue through 21st May the following year. Deadhead spent spikes to keep the display going, but leave a few if you want self-sown seedlings for later years.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Foxglove.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Foxglove to consider
Excelsior Hybrids
Mixed-colour foxgloves with tall, dependable flower spikes for cottage gardens.
Sutton's Apricot
A softer apricot-pink form that works well in partial shade.
Alba
A white foxglove with clean-looking spikes that brightens darker corners.
Pam's Choice
Cream flowers with rich maroon markings inside each bloom.
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Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.
Also in nearby towns
See how Foxglove timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.