Native Plant Alternatives to Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)

Digitalis purpurea, also known as common foxglove, is a biennial or short-lived perennial plant native to Europe. It has been widely planted in gardens around the world for its tall, showy spikes of tubular flowers, which range in color from purple to pink, yellow, or white.

In some regions where it has been introduced, Digitalis purpurea can become invasive. It’s particularly known to escape cultivation and naturalize in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and parts of New Zealand and Australia. The plant produces many seeds that can spread easily and germinate in a wide range of conditions, allowing it to establish in new areas quickly.

It’s important to note that while Digitalis purpurea can be a beautiful addition to a garden, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and can harm humans, pets, and livestock.

Common Foxglove is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.