My foxgloves didn't make it
- To: ML-Perennials <perennials@mallorn.com>
- Subject: My foxgloves didn't make it
- From: S* C* <s*@Newbridge.COM>
- Date: Fri, 01 May 1998 08:55:45 -0400
Last year I planted a crop of digitalis purpurea. By the end of last
summer at least 20 appeared to be in excellent shape (half started
indoors, half in the garden in situ). Eagerly I awaited the "show" they
would provide this summer. Unfortunately, not a single one survived
the winter (and it was a mild one). They are _supposed_ to be hardy to
zone 4. What happened? The only possible explanation I could find in
any of my plant books was that digitalis needs lots of moisture. It was
a very dry spring - is it possible they just never "woke up" due to lack
of rain?
Early this spring, I started several flats of d. purpurea, grandiflora
and mertensia under grow lights. They are now hardening off in a cold
frame. I would really like to avoid a repeat of the disaster that
awaited me this year. Any suggestions on how to increase the chances
of survival would be greatly appreciated.
(At least my rhododendron 'pjm' survived its first winter to bloom for
me!)
-Sheila Craig
Ottawa, Canada
Zone 4/5
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