[Triffid]

Basic question but I dont know the answer. My Lupins have flowered as have my Foxgloves. This is my first year gardening and wondered if they would flower again this season or if I should cut them back? And if I was to cut back..How far?I have looked around the site for an answer and couldnt find one. Please help!!

[Sive]

Yes cut back your flower spikes. When flowers fade, the energy of the plant then goes into making seed, so by cutting off the faded flowers, you let the plant make more flowers instead.
In the case of lupins, you may get some more smaller flower spikes when you do this. I'm not sure that you will with the foxgloves...but as foxgloves are biennials, you may want to let them set seed and then you will find lots of seedlings growing next year and flowering for you in two years' time. Therefore don't dead-head them till the seed capsules are empty, if this is what you want.
As for how far back to cut: look down each stem, well below the dead flowers....and you will come to small leaves or buds...cut just above these, and you will at least get some fresh leaves, and possibly flowers growing at these junctions.
That's how I do it anyhow....but I'm not an expert!

[Triffid]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I am going to pop out to the garden now (in the rain) and do that. I do love the Foxgloves but I dont have the room in my bed for more so I think I may cut them now and see what happens..I may strike lucky with a second flowering and if not then the foliage still looks well. Thanks again