I have a lot of deer in my area, so I'm looking to grow foxgloves this year. However, at my local garden center, they're priced around $20-$30 each. I'm considering starting from seeds since it's cheaper, but I'm unsure about pelleted seeds versus regular seeds. I've heard pelleted seeds are more expensive, so I'm curious if anyone here has experience with them and whether they're worth the extra cost. Any advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
Honestly, I’d go for the regular, cheaper seeds and plant them in rows where you can take care of them properly in the first year. I struggled for ages thinking foxgloves preferred shady areas, but they actually thrive in sunlight, especially in the morning. Now I have quite a few established plants that keep reseeding!
You really don’t need pelleted seeds for foxgloves; they germinate easily without them.
Just so you know, foxgloves won't flower the first year if you're starting from seed. They usually grow, die back, and then bloom the following year. I’ve had limited success growing them inside before transplanting, but I found that planting them later in the season worked better for me.
Pelleted seeds are coated with clay, making them easier to handle and see when planting. They're typically more costly because it takes more effort to pellet them. Just a heads-up, you'll need to water them a lot to wash away the clay once you've sown them. Also, keep in mind that pelleted seeds don’t store well; they lose viability quicker than non-pelleted seeds. I’ve grown a few plants from pelleted seeds, and honestly, they behave pretty much the same as regular seeds—just less hassle when planting.
Make sure you’re picking a variety of foxglove that flowers in the same year you plant them. Heirloom types generally bloom the second year. Pelleted seeds can be useful for individual plants, but if you're just going to scatter seeds for a border, it might not be worth the expense.