Foxgloves are one of the most striking plants in a spring garden, with their tall spires of bell-shaped flowers bringing colour, height, and plenty of pollinators. But once those blooms begin to fade, you might be wondering what to do next.
The good news? Foxgloves are relatively low-maintenance, and a few simple jobs now can help ensure they return year after year.
Whether you'd like more flowers next season or simply want to keep your borders looking neat, here's what to do once foxgloves have finished flowering.
1. Cut back spent flower spikes
Once the flowers have faded, one of the first jobs is deciding whether to remove the flower spikes or leave them in place.
'Once foxgloves have finished flowering, the best approach depends on whether you'd like them to self-seed,' explains Martin Chaplin, head of horticulture at Hedges Direct. 'Most traditional foxgloves are biennials, meaning they flower once before setting seed, so leaving a few flower spikes in place can help encourage new plants to appear naturally around the garden next year.'
If you'd prefer a neater look, spent flower stems can be removed once flowering has finished. This can also help tidy up borders as summer progresses.
'In some cases, removing the main flower spike early can also encourage smaller side shoots to continue producing blooms for a little longer,' says Martin.
2. Tidy up the foliage
While it's tempting to cut the entire plant back, it's best to be more selective when tidying.
'After flowering, remove any yellowing, damaged or dead leaves from around the base of the plant,' says Matthew Wilson, gardener and CEO of Handy Gardeners. 'This will help improve its appearance while keeping the plant healthy.'
Leave healthy foliage intact, as the leaves will continue to photosynthesise and store energy for future growth. During particularly hot or dry weather, give plants an occasional watering to prevent them from becoming stressed.
3. Allow some plants to set seed
If you're a fan of that relaxed, romantic cottage garden look, allowing a few foxgloves to go to seed can be one of the easiest ways to fill your borders with future blooms.
'Foxgloves are particularly valuable for pollinators, especially bees, so allowing some plants to set seed can benefit both wildlife and the long-term display in your garden,' says Martin. 'They're one of the easiest cottage garden plants to maintain, often rewarding gardeners with fresh blooms year after year through natural self-seeding.'
Once the seed heads mature, they'll release thousands of tiny seeds, which may germinate nearby and create a new generation of plants for next year.
4. Mulch around the base
A little extra care after flowering can help keep foxgloves healthy as the season progresses.
'A light mulch around the plant can help retain moisture and improve soil conditions,' says Martin. ‘Applying a layer of compost or well-rotted organic matter around the base will help keep roots cool, reduce moisture loss and improve soil health.’
If any self-seeded seedlings appear, they can be left where they are or moved elsewhere in the garden during autumn or spring.
And... don't forget they're poisonous
Despite their beauty, foxgloves should always be handled with care.
‘All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, making them potentially dangerous for children and pets,’ explains Matthew. ‘Always wear gardening gloves when cutting back stems, collecting seed or moving plants, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.’
With just a few simple jobs once flowering has finished, foxgloves can continue to be one of the hardest-working plants in the garden, returning with fresh seedlings and bringing their signature cottage garden charm back year after year.
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