Over-wintering Foxglove

by Barbara
(Ohio USA)

I live in Ohio Z-5. I planted a whole package of Foxglove in 6-pack containers and I think every single one sprouted. Now in June I've transplanted to bigger pots. Do I dare put them in the ground in the fall or how should I over-winter them in the 3-inch pots? Garden shed with no heat? Garage with no heat but get down to 20 or so?

Doug says that they should be planted in the ground when the roots start to hit the sides of the pots (remove one carefully to check) or when the leaves start to get large enough to reach over the edges of the pot.

Put them in the ground. Do not feed them. Water them for the first month but stop watering at the end of July. Do not worry if they get ragged. You want this plant hard and tough to go into the winter. If it is lush and soft, the odds are it will rot. Treat it rough and it will be fine and will overwinter. It will bloom next year and then die off.

It will however set a gazillion seeds and you'll have tons from then on. Sprinkle seeds where you want them to grow.