Where in SoCal are you?

I'm near Santa Clarita, sunset western zone 18

My rule of thumb for various plants that normally self-sow in the garden if I miss an early planting is to sow the seeds when the normal time the plant would set seed and drop them. They will go thru the normal cycle that way and bloom the following season. I'm not familiar with your growing climate - but if things are blooming now, give them a few weeks to set seed and it's good time to sow.

I think the trick is to find out what are your normal temperatures.

For foxgloves: they are good from zone 4 to 8. Germination. Min temps 16C or 61 F. Max. temps. 21 C or 70 F

I note you are from zone 9 and so assume it must be hotter there than the max. temps for growing foxgloves. Based on this, I doubt you will have success in growing foxgloves. However -- there are such things as microclimates and so who knows....

I just checked out your weather, and if you find a slightly shady spot I think you can germinate all of these within a month, now.

so I should sow them about a month from now perhaps? the normal foxgloves I had in my garden this spring are just now spent with their bloom.

Also, the foxglove seeds I bought are slightly different variety which is a little more tolerant? They're listed on the sites I looked at as going to zone 9.

I bought DIGITALIS Mertonensis, Digitalis thapsi, Digitalis grandiflora, Dierama pulcherrimum, CHAMOIS HOLLYHOCK, Gypsophila repens rosea.

on PlantFiles someone said "Digitalis x mertonensis seems to be more drought tolerant than Digitalis purpurea, and it blooms a couple weeks later." ? if that helps at all? but I figure it was worth a try regardless.

No, sow them now. They should be up within the month. Yes, Digitalis Mertonensis is more tolerant.

Aimeekitty, you will have the best luck with direct-sown seed in SoCal if you wait until late fall through February to sow.

There are some annuals we sow in spring/early summer, like morning glories, cosmos, amaranth, zinnias, and vincas, but most seedlings will die in the heat come July and August.

You can sow hollyhock seeds now, but you will have better germination sowing late fall through early February. I would wait, since we have Hollyhock rust here and you usually only get a few seasons before your hollyhocks are toast. Make sure you get your plants off to a good start.

You should start your foxglove seeds six weeks early indoors for planting in the late fall. They will then bloom that spring. It is easier to buy small plants in the fall or winter and plant them. Also, when people say something is drought tolerant, they don't usually mean Southern California drought, so it's important to check their zone.

I have had no success with Baby's Breath and I have never seen it in a Southern California garden. I sure hope you grow it, because I would LOVE to see it. I grow a white Euphorbia instead to get a similar effect. We can also grow Bridal Wreath Spirea in partial shade here, and it looks a bit like Baby's Breath, but it's a large shrub.

Renee

I figured the seeds don't cost that much so I can give it a try. :)

The company I bought the seeds from recommended sowing them in August or Sept (I just heard back from them). I don't mind waiting, I just didn't want to do it wrong.

Thanks for the suggestions like Euphorbia and Spirea! My mom gave me a cutting of spirea that seems to be coming back after it's initial shock, I'll see how it goes!

I haven't seen my local nurseries carry these different types of foxgloves, or I'd just buy small plants in fall like you say.

Can I sow in small pots and leave them outside as long as I water them a lot? or do I have to get that whole fancy seed sewing indoor system going? haha... I know so little!

or should I just direct sow? Our ground is pretty hard clay, so that's my only concern with direct sowing

I live in zone 9b and my foxgloves did well on the southeast corner. My first ever! What a thrill! I plan on more amongst my veggie bed with peas and carrots.Sorry the photo may look warped here. Mine is quite clear

One issue that may be confusing some is that the USDA hardiness zones ONLY apply to winter low temperatures. Summer heat or humidity or annual rainfall, etc, have absolutely no association with these zones. The only zone one should care about is the lowest one listed....that is what determines if the plant will survive winter in your location. Any other zones are just an attempt by the grower to included factors into the equation that simply cannot be addressed by this zonal system nor were they ever intended to!!

btw, just to emphasize this mistake, I am also in a zone 9 climate and common foxgloves have naturalized throughout my area and grow wild!! Zone 9 is not directly associated with summer heat.....only lack of severe winter cold . Period.

If you have concerns about the plant's appropriateness for your location and you live on the west coast, then check out the Sunset Western Garden Book. Their zonal system is much broader and DOES take into consideration other factors. btw, all the plants you list are just fine for Sunset zone 18 :-)

I would sow any of the seeds now and with the plants in question, direct sow in the garden rather than start indoors or in pots. And if by 'fairy wand' you mean Dierama pulcherrimum, that is normally started by corms, not seed.

I'd think twice about growing foxgloves in the vegetable garden just in case someone other than you decides to gather a salad or some herbs. It's an outside chance but still a bit risky if other people have access to your garden.

Digitalis purpurea is native throughout the British Isles which gives you a clue to its preferred conditions.