On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 12:57:30 +0100, Nell
wrote:

On a large property I have about a dozen foxglove plants at the moment,
all with dark purple flowers and they are beautiful and charming. They
popped up in various places in the early spring along with the weeds and
I plucked many out recognising them immediately, but I left those that
had appeared in attractive or bare positions.

This weekend the previous owner revisited and warned that if I don't
pull this dozen out immediately, the whole property will be covered with
them next year. He says that he spent years trying to get rid of them.
How true is it that they will become a frightful nuisance?

As I drive along country roads and lanes I see a few here and there,
never more than a dozen every half mile or so. If it were true that
they can run riot, I can't see why the verges aren't full of them.

Well, I've tried many times to fill my garden with them. I think the
best I ever did was have five plants in flower at once - and I was
aiming for a stand of about 20+ plants in a rear border.
This year I'm back down to one, and that's one I bought in and planted
myself.

What's frustrating is that when they do grow, they grow very well and
put on a magnificent display...and you'd think that would be a good
indicator that they're happy and in the right spot, and therefore
ought to set seed quite readily nearby.
I have the same problem with lupins.

Clearly there's something that prevents them from exploding all over
the garden - whether it be ground conditions or attack from
slugs/rabbits/deer/elephants etc...

It would seem sensible to take advice from the previous owner of your
garden, if he's had problems with them then it's more than likely that
your garden suits foxgloves.
Having said that though, they're not difficult to spot and eradicate
if you so wish.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk