Wilting Foxgloves after transplanting?

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi all, we had to move 2 foxgloves yesterday, as they had self seeded amongst some weeds in the middle of one of our largest beds (that we were double digging), watered them before the move, and planted them into a fresh bed through weed control membrane.

This morning they looked ok, but as the day wore on the seemed to wilt visibly. Is there anything we can do? Did we do anything wrong? Or is it a case of better luck next time! Any advice more than welcome!

[rustylady]

Hi Mrs D

Hope you got as much root as possible. I've found with foxgloves that they have a lot of leaf and not much root. That said, my transplants have always done well. Just make sure they're not out of the ground too long. If they look a bit poorly, try cutting some of the leaves off to reduce water loss.

Why is it that if you buy seed they don't grow, burt if you leave plants to self-seed you get loads and loads of seedlings and can't find room for them or give them away?

[Mrs Dobby]

Think we got most of the roots, dug them out and immediately replanted them into the new bed and gave them a good watering too, but will try taking off a few leaves tomorrow, thanks for that RL!

Think it must be sods law about self seeding, same thing happens in our garden at home! lol!

[Alice]

Hello Mrs D, I don't think you have to worry too much. Foxgloves are pretty tough but the top growth dies back naturally at this time of year. If you have the roots in I'm sure they will do fine. Mine seed by the million. If you loose yours I'll send you some baby plants or seeds. Good luck.

[nick the grief]

It's just the shock of being moved I guess Mrs D. All being well they will pickup soon but as the year is getting on them may not establish fully till the spring.

[Mrs Dobby]

Thanks guys for the replies! Must say they seem to have perked up this morning, but seemed a little droopy by mid afternoon, I gave them a good watering and will have to see how they get on!

[bramble]

Mrs D, don't water them too much at this time of year as its coming to the end of the growing season and they will die back anyway. They should be ok. They're as tough as old boots.

[Mrs Dobby]

Thanks Bramble! They do seem ok now, many thanks all for the helpful advice!

[Mrs Dobby]

Update - Both the foxgloves are now looking great, nice and bushy and look very strong, so think we may have a nice couple of blooms from them come next summer! Thanks again all for the advice!

[rustylady]

Hope they're the colour you want Mrs D. I've been saving self sown seedlings for a couple of years now, and I really love the creamy coloured ones. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, Last year I had a little patch of foxglove plants that I hadn't found time to thin out. OK the plants weren't huge specimens, but the blend of colours from dark pink all the way down to cream looked fantastic.

[Alice]

Glad your foxgloves made it Mrs Doby. If you don't want millions everywhere, dead head them when they flower and before they set seed. Enjoy them, they are lovely. I always have to be really hard hearted and pull them out, but I always leave a few, and invariably, they seed everywhere.

[Mrs Dobby]

Thanks guys!

RL, I've no idea what colour they are yet, as they were growing amongst the weeds when we took over the plot, and no foxgloves anywhere near to wonder where the seeds have come from, so it will be interesting to see them flower!

They are planted through weed control fabric, so I dont think self seeding should be too much of a problem, but I will be dead heading and harvesting seeds to bring home for our garden! 2 years ago we had about 20 foxgloves in the garden, self seeded from the 3 plants we bought the year beofre, this year we only had about 6, and Bella (big dog) managed to break the stems off 2 of them before they flowered, so I think I could do with some more seeds to replant the front garden with!