When to Plant Foxglove in Alaska

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a stately cottage garden classic, sending up dramatic 3–5 foot spires of tubular flowers — spotted purple, pink, white, or cream — in late spring and early summer. Technically biennial (flowering in its second year), foxglove perpetuates itself so freely from self-sown seed that established plantings appear to be permanent perennials. A key source plant for the heart medication digitalis, all parts are highly toxic if ingested. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators, crawling deep into each bell-shaped flower. Partial shade and cool, moist woodland-edge conditions suit foxglove best; it resents heat and drought.

Alaska spans USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

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Click your county for exact Foxglove planting dates based on your local frost dates.

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Foxglove Planting Calendar for Alaska

▸ Zone 3b ~135 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 10 · First frost: September 22 · 135 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 1	Mar 1 – Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors	May 24	May 24 – Jun 7
Direct Sow	May 24	May 24 – Jun 14
Bloom	July 19	Jul 19 – Aug 30

▸ Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors	May 20	May 20 – Jun 3
Direct Sow	May 20	May 20 – Jun 10
Bloom	July 15	Jul 15 – Aug 26

▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 20	Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors	May 15	May 15 – May 29
Direct Sow	May 15	May 15 – Jun 5
Bloom	July 10	Jul 10 – Aug 21

▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 21	Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors	May 9	May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow	May 9	May 9 – May 30
Bloom	July 4	Jul 4 – Aug 15

▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 14	Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors	May 2	May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow	May 2	May 2 – May 23
Bloom	June 27	Jun 27 – Aug 8

▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 30	Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors	April 10	Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow	April 10	Apr 10 – May 1
Bloom	June 5	Jun 5 – Jul 10

▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 28	Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors	April 1	Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow	April 1	Apr 1 – Apr 22
Bloom	May 20	May 20 – Jun 24

▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 21	Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 15
Bloom	May 13	May 13 – Jun 17

▸ Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 11	Jan 11 – Jan 25
Transplant Outdoors	March 8	Mar 8 – Mar 22
Direct Sow	March 8	Mar 8 – Mar 29
Bloom	April 26	Apr 26 – May 24

Growing Tips for Alaska

Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow outdoors in late spring/early summer for next-year bloom (biennial cycle). Surface-sow — seeds need light to germinate. Transplant after last frost into cool, moist, well-amended soil. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; full shade reduces bloom but is tolerated. Keep consistently moist. First-year plants form a basal rosette only; second-year plants produce flower spikes. After bloom, cut the main spike before seed scatters to prevent excessive spreading, or leave some spikes to self-seed for naturalizing. Perennial species (D. grandiflora, D. x mertonensis) maintain clumps without requiring self-seeding. Wear gloves when handling — all plant parts toxic.

Foxglove in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Foxglove in Alaska?

Planting dates for Foxglove in Alaska depend on your USDA zone. Alaska spans zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Alaska for planting?

Alaska contains USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

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