foxgloves

[shaneystar]

We moved into our present house 18 months ago and this year we have a wonderful show of foxgloves.They didn't flower last year but some of them are now almost 6ft tall .I have never grown these lovely plants before and wonder what to to do now.I know they are perrenial so once the flower spikes are empty so to speak do I cut them down? Will they flower again next year or do I just leave them to self seed.?
Any help much appreciated.

[jake-the-peg]

Mostly foxgloves are bienniel but they should self seed.

See here:

http://www.crocus.co.uk/feature/foxglovesgrowing/

[Robinia]

I've got lots of foxgloves in my garden too, probably thanks to lots of rain last year which enabled more seedlings to flourish. I cut some of the flower stalks down after flowering & often get more blooms from side shoots, & others I leave to seed for next year. Lots of lovely plants for free!

[Clanad]

As jake-the-pegs site states at the very bottom, the Digitalis can be toxic.  There have been reports of persons taking medicinal digitalis for heart related problems and subsequently handling the Foxglove plants extensively, such as in cutting, that have had some heart racing or other adverse reactions...

[Foxglove]

They are my favourite flower, hence the nickname. Let them seed down and they will delight you once again next year. If they come up in the wrong place then you can move them into a new position next spring.

[shaneystar]

Thank you all for your kind advice.... and happy gardening!