Foxglove

Question

I live in a cold climate, zone 3-4 works best here. I bought a foxglove last summer and planted it. It never flowered so I’m assuming that was its first year. Over the winter I just left it alone, leaves and all. There was not much to cut back, as it didn’t grow that wide. This spring, I’m wondering (and therefore my question) if there is anything I need to do to encourage the right growth. Do I need to cut back all the leaves? Leave the base that is there? The leaves are still very green and look great for coming out of our colder winters. I’m not at all familiar with foxglove pruning for the first year. Is there even any to do?

Thank you!

Answer 1

There is some debate on how cold and hardy Foxgloves are.
Most state down to zone 4, though some varieties are only listed at zones 5 and 6.
Personally speaking, I have been trying to grow Foxgloves for the last 9 years in my zone 4 garden. I have only been able to overwinter and successfully re bloom the flowers twice. I simply love these plants and flowers but even in a sheltered garden area and covered, they tend to freeze and suffer root rot.
Do not disturb the plant that you are showing in the image. Wait until you see new growth and then you can remove any dead or damaged older leaves. The less you disturb the crown the better. If you let the flower go to seed, watch for new tiny plants to grow.
Here is a link to refresh you on the care requirements.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/foxglove/foxglove-flowers.htm

Answer 2

Thank you! I will leave as is and hope for the best. I’ll assess in a few weeks. Thankfully our winter has not been very cold for very long. Just recently it’s been ‘hanging on’, but that is completely normal to be teased a bit with warmer temps and then waking to a couple inches of snow in April!