Biennials you sow, almost counter intuitively, in the summer. That feels strange, because you sow most flowers in spring, don't you? Sometimes, but not always. Biennials are exceptions that you sow from June through August. Why? Because they need a little more time and won't bloom until next year. Here we show you how to sow digitalis or foxglove, for a border full of flowers.
Biennials versus annuals
Let us begin by explaining the difference between annuals and biennials. Biennials are plants that are sown in the summer, only to grow, develop leaves and only after winter, the following year, to form flowers. Annuals are a little different in that regard, because they have to get everything done in one season. So annuals you sow in the spring and flower that same summer. Biennials simply need a little extra time. And maybe that's the best thing about those biennials. You are already dreaming a little bit ahead.
Foxglove: beloved and poisonous
You can sow lots of biennials starting in July, but here we will limit ourselves to the most popular, the biennial foxglove. Digitalis or Foxglove is great to have in the garden. In a spot in the semi-shade they do just fine. Or if you have space between trees in your garden, feel free to put them there, that's where they prefer to grow. It is a kind of forest plant that likes to grow at the edge. And yes, digitalis is poisonous, so be careful with children or nibbling pets. But otherwise, it's just a very nice addition to your garden, with their bell-shaped flowers hanging down. They come in many colors and some already grow a little taller than others. Biennials that are loved by everyone.
How to sow biennials?
Biennials are perfect for sowing in the open ground, between your plants in the border. Moreover, if you already have digitalis, chances are that they have already sown themselves after flowering. They germinate easily and that way you can gradually expand your collection. If you don't have them yet, you will have to sow.
You can pre-sow in a seed tray when the borders are already completely full at this point and seeds don't even have a chance to germinate because of the perennials that take up everything. Fill the seed tray with airy sowing soil and sprinkle the very small seeds shallowly on the soil.
Digitalis is a light germinator, so absolutely do not cover it with soil or you will not see any seedlings. Lightly press the seeds so they have contact with the soil.
Water by placing the container in a bowl of water and letting it absorb moisture itself. That way the tiny seeds don't wash away.
Just leave the container outside, just not in full sun. A spot in semi-shade is fine. Water occasionally and wait patiently for the first plants to appear. It can easily take two or even three weeks before you see any sign of life.
Planting biennials after summer
Fast forward to when your biennials are ready to be planted in the garden. That's usually eight to 10 weeks after you sow them. Then they are big enough and ready to go into the ground at the end of summer. September is ideal, but October is also possible. By planting them in the fall, you ensure that the plants set out their roots in the soil before winter. The biennials will overwinter in the garden, go dormant and only start growing again from March. In the case of digitalis or foxglove, you can expect flowers starting in June. After that, the whole process starts all over again.
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In this video, Angelo shows you exactly how to get started sowing biennials.
