Autumn is a great time to relocate young foxglove plants to where you want them.
Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are statuesque biennials, beloved by polinators and perfect for adding a bit of height to a cottage style or woodland garden.
They self-seed freely which means there's lots of young plants waiting in the wings. But not always in the right place!
Identifying young foxgloves
You'll find the low-lying rosettes of soft rounded leaves of foxgloves spread far & wide from the parent plant - the seeds are seriously tiny and find their way all over the garden.
Beware the impostor! Green alkanet, a tenacious wildflower (OK, weed for most people) can be quite easily mistaken for foxglove when young. Here are some key differences:
Leaves:
Foxglove leaves taper to a fairly rounded point.
The veins are indented, but not overly prominent.
The leaf feels soft to the touch.
By contrast Alkanet leaves are quite pointed.
The veins are darker and more obvious.
The leaf feels rough, as do the stems.
Roots:
The acid test!
Foxgloves have a mass of fibrous roots.
Alkanet has a tap root.
This can become really quite hard to remove once the plants are mature. And they'll grow back from anything left in the ground on removal.
Relocation
Foxglove seedlings are relatively easy to transplant, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure success:
Choose the Right Location: Foxgloves thrive in partial shade and well-draining soil. Select a spot that aligns with these conditions.
Dig Gently: Use a trowel or garden fork to dig around the seedlings, ensuring you get as much of the root system as possible.
Lift and Transplant: Carefully lift the seedlings, keeping the soil around their roots intact. Transplant them to the chosen location.
Maintain Spacing: Ensure there is adequate spacing between relocated seedlings to prevent overcrowding. Typically, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
Water Well: After transplanting, water the seedlings generously to help them settle into their new home.
Picture credits:
Foxglove main picture: image by Ulleo from Pixabay
All other pictures by Garden Well