Foxgloves (genus Digitalis) are recognizable cottage garden plants known for their tall spires of bell-shaped flowers. While these blooms appear reliably each season, the individual plant responsible for the display typically does not return the following year. The simple answer to whether they come back is yes, but the reality involves a complex biological strategy of constant replacement.
Understanding the Biennial Life Cycle
The most common garden foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, is classified as a biennial, meaning its life span is completed in two distinct growing seasons. During the first year, a seed germinates and the plant focuses energy on vegetative growth, forming a tight, low-lying rosette of leaves. This foliage stores the energy needed for the spectacular bloom and prepares the plant for winter.
The second year marks the culmination of the plant’s life cycle. The stored energy is used to send up a tall flower stalk, or spike, which produces numerous blossoms. Once pollinated, the plant sets a large number of seeds. After the seeds mature and are dispersed, the original foxglove plant dies, having fulfilled its purpose of reproduction.
The Role of Self-Seeding in Garden Appearance
Foxgloves appear to be perennials that “come back” entirely due to their prolific self-seeding capability. Each second-year plant produces thousands of seeds held within capsules on the flower spike. As the plant withers, these seeds drop to the ground and germinate readily, often near the parent plant.
This natural mechanism ensures that a new cohort of first-year rosettes is established annually, replacing the two-year-old plants that have died. The garden constantly contains a mix of Year 1 rosettes and Year 2 flowering spikes, creating the illusion of a continuous presence. The seeds require light to germinate, which is why the plant often thrives in areas of disturbed soil or dappled shade.
Cultivating Continuous Blooms and Perennial Varieties
Gardeners can manage this self-seeding cycle to ensure a dependable floral display every season. To guarantee new plants, leave a few flower spikes intact after the bloom fades so the plant can drop its seeds naturally. Removing the spent flower stalk (deadheading) can sometimes encourage a small secondary bloom and may encourage biennial foxgloves to survive an extra season.
If you desire a foxglove that truly returns from the same root system, choose a perennial species, which are longer-lived than their biennial cousins. Species like Digitalis grandiflora or the yellow-flowered Digitalis lutea are genuine perennials. These varieties tend to have a shorter lifespan than other perennials, lasting several years before needing replacement. As a precaution, all parts of the Digitalis plant contain powerful cardiac glycosides and are toxic if ingested, so caution should be used, especially in gardens frequented by children or pets.