On Understanding the Lifecycle of a Biennial; in This Case, a Foxglove
by
Queen Patina
One major way to cut costs in the cottage garden (or any garden!) is to grow plants from seed whenever possible. For the new gardener, however, this enterprise can add one more challenge to an already challenging undertaking. However, allowing the plants to reproduce on their own, in the existing garden is surprisingly easy. This post details the lifecycle of the biennial foxglove, a cottage garden staple. My hope is that as you see the various stages of a foxglove, you'll be inspired to start this, and other biennials, in your cottage garden.
Here is a wide-angle view of foxglove: tall spires, with lovely bell-shaped flowers. Foxglove is a staple in the cottage garden, as are a lot of other biennials: feverfew, sweet william, some columbine varieties, and others.
Here is a wide-angle view of foxglove: tall spires, with lovely bell-shaped flowers. Foxglove is a staple in the cottage garden, as are a lot of other biennials: feverfew, sweet william, some columbine varieties, and others.
Image source: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wildseed/27/27.4.jpeg
This foxglove will bloom this year.
I planted a foxglove plant last year--it looked like the one pictured above-- and it produced lovely blooms that summer.
A mature foxglove, in all its blooming glory.
A foxglove ready to reseed the garden
In the fall, after the blooming season, the plant will put its energy into creating seed. The stalks will brown and seed pods will appear where the blooms were. Then, the foxglove will reseed itself prolifically, and depending on the "hospitableness" of your soil, "baby" foxgloves will appear the following spring.
Foxglove seedlings in the spring
Pay attention to emerging seedlings as you weed in the spring: more than likely, you'll find little babies scattered throughout the garden. I usually allow these baby plants to get a bit bigger before I thin them and transplant them to other areas in the garden. Typically they won't bloom the first year, but will bloom the following year and then reseed the garden again, repeating the cycle.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 comments
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I just love old-fashioned perennial & biennials-hollyhocks, columbine, lupines! They remind me of my grandmother's garden. TONS of bang for your buck, and free plants for years to come! Very nice article!
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