As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can provide you with detailed information on cutting back Digitalis (also known as foxgloves) after flowering.
When the flowers on Digitalis plants start to fade and die back, it is essential to cut off the flower spike at the base of the plant. This practice is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, removing the spent flower spike helps maintain the plant’s appearance and tidiness. Secondly, cutting back the flower spike promotes the plant’s energy to be redirected towards other important processes, such as seed production or foliage growth.
To cut back Digitalis after flowering, you should locate the base of the flower spike, where it emerges from the foliage. Using a sharp and clean pair of pruning shears or secateurs, make a clean cut as close to the base as possible. It is crucial to avoid leaving any stubs, as they can become entry points for diseases or pests. By cutting back the flower spike, you encourage the plant to focus its resources on developing seeds.
Seeds on Digitalis plants begin to form quickly after the flowers have been pollinated. It is interesting to note that Digitalis is a biennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle within two years. In the first year, the plant produces a rosette of leaves and, in the second year, it sends up a tall flower spike. After the flowers have been pollinated, seed formation takes place, primarily in the flowers at the base of the spike.
By cutting back the flower spike, you can control the dispersal of seeds and prevent self-sowing. This can be particularly important if you want to maintain control over the location and number of Digitalis plants in your garden. However, if you wish to allow self-sowing and naturalize Digitalis in your landscape, you can leave some flower spikes to mature and disperse their seeds naturally.
It is worth mentioning that Digitalis plants are known for their ability to self-sow abundantly. If you want to avoid excessive spreading, it may be necessary to deadhead the flowers throughout the blooming period, rather than waiting until the end. Deadheading involves removing the individual faded flowers before they have a chance to produce seeds. This practice prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production and encourages it to produce more flowers instead.
Cutting back Digitalis after flowering is beneficial for maintaining the plant’s appearance, redirecting its energy towards seed production or foliage growth, and controlling the dispersal of seeds. By cutting off the flower spike at the base of the plant, you can encourage the development of seeds in the flowers at the base first. Remember to use sharp and clean pruning shears, and consider deadheading throughout the blooming period to prevent excessive self-sowing.
