Question about foxglove and delphinum seeds/plants

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angedawn47 Lake Charles, LA May 08, 2010

When should foxglove and delphinum seeds be planted for zone 3. How long will it take them to grow and bloom. Thank you, Angela

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) May 08, 2010

For zone 3, one would typically start seeds of perennials and biennials indoors, under lights (preferably),during the winter, so that the seedlings are at a substantial size for planting out by the time of last frost. However, that's not set in stone... seeds can be started later, but the seedlings will be smaller when set out and more vulnerable to disturbance. Dephiniums, being perennials, would typically bloom in their second year from seed. Foxgloves, depending on the species and variety, may be perennials or biennials. Some cultivars bloom in the first year from seed; others (perennials species) bloom in the second year from seed.

I assume you are asking the question for someone else who gardens in zone 3? (Louisiana doesn't have any areas that are rated as zone 3 (i.e. several months of winter, with snow and freezing temperatures, minimum temperatures below -30 deg F).)

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angedawn47 Lake Charles, LA May 08, 2010

Yes, I'm asking for someone else. The plant files say that they are hardy to zone 4. You are in zone 3b, so do they over winter for you?
If I got the cultivar of foxgloves that bloom in the first year, could the seeds be planted in May for bloom in late summer?

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) May 09, 2010

Published zone ratings can't be trusted... not even the ones here in PF, unfortunately, since people tend to just copy them from what they've seen elsewhere. Yes, the common species/cultivars of delphiniums are hardy through zone 2. Some perennial species of foxgloves are hardy through zone 2 as well - Digitalis grandiflora, D. lutea, etc.. However, I assume you are probably thinking of Digitalis purpurea? They don't do particularly well here outdoors, being somewhat less hardy, but if one picks a cultivar that will bloom in the first year from seed, then it could work. May is pushing it a bit late, IMO, in this sort of climate, unless maybe this person has a greenhouse?

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