Digitalis question
 

I bought some container grown digitalis about a month ago and planted them out. They were around 30cm tall with a few leaves but no other growth. No they've started to flower. I'm a bit confused because I thought they didn't flower this late into the year. Can anyone advise if I should leave them to grow or do I need to take some other action to ensure they show flowers again next year?


Thanks

Digitalis question
 

"Kai_63" wrote


I bought some container grown digitalis about a month ago and planted
them out. They were around 30cm tall with a few leaves but no other
growth. No they've started to flower. I'm a bit confused because I
thought they didn't flower this late into the year. Can anyone advise if
I should leave them to grow or do I need to take some other action to
ensure they show flowers again next year?


You need to find out which species it is. The normal ones are bi-annual and
once flowered die and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

Digitalis question
 

On 10/10/2012 17:23, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Kai_63" wrote


I bought some container grown digitalis about a month ago and planted
them out. They were around 30cm tall with a few leaves but no other
growth. No they've started to flower. I'm a bit confused because I
thought they didn't flower this late into the year. Can anyone advise if
I should leave them to grow or do I need to take some other action to
ensure they show flowers again next year?


You need to find out which species it is. The normal ones are bi-annual
and once flowered die and there is nothing you can do to stop it.


Actually, yes you can: you can collect the subsequent seed and start
again;~). But, as you say, Bob, it would certainly help to know which
one the OP has.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

Which species of Digitalis?

Digitalis question
 

"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 10/10/2012 17:23, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Kai_63" wrote


I bought some container grown digitalis about a month ago and planted
them out. They were around 30cm tall with a few leaves but no other
growth. No they've started to flower. I'm a bit confused because I
thought they didn't flower this late into the year. Can anyone advise if
I should leave them to grow or do I need to take some other action to
ensure they show flowers again next year?


You need to find out which species it is. The normal ones are bi-annual
and once flowered die and there is nothing you can do to stop it.


Actually, yes you can: you can collect the subsequent seed and start
again;~). But, as you say, Bob, it would certainly help to know which one
the OP has.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

Also if you remove the emerging flower spike it will normally result in the
clump offsetting and trying again next year, plus the bit you cut off can be
used as cuttings.


--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk

Digitalis question
 

In message , Bob Hobden
writes
"Kai_63" wrote


I bought some container grown digitalis about a month ago and planted
them out. They were around 30cm tall with a few leaves but no other
growth. No they've started to flower. I'm a bit confused because I
thought they didn't flower this late into the year. Can anyone advise if
I should leave them to grow or do I need to take some other action to
ensure they show flowers again next year?


You need to find out which species it is. The normal ones are bi-annual
and once flowered die and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

The normal ones are short-lived perennials, but don't flower as well
after the first flowering, and are therefore treated as biennials. They
don't always die.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley