Digitalis (Foxglove)

What is Special about Foxglove?

Foxgloves are special for several reasons, making them a popular choice in many gardens:

Striking appearance: Foxgloves are known for their tall spires of tubular, bell-shaped flowers that come in various colors like purple, pink, yellow, white, and red. The flowers’ interior often features speckled, colored throats, adding to their visual appeal.

Vertical interest: Their impressive height and flower spikes provide vertical interest in the garden, making them an ideal choice for adding structure and depth to mixed borders, cottage gardens, and woodland gardens.

Pollinator attraction: Foxgloves are excellent for attracting pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies due to their nectar-rich flowers. By planting foxgloves, you can support local pollinator populations and enhance the biodiversity of your garden.

Deer and rabbit resistance: Foxgloves are relatively resistant to deer and rabbits because their toxicity makes them unpalatable to these animals.

Adaptability: Foxgloves can grow in a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, making them suitable for various garden settings. They can also tolerate various soil types as long as the soil is well-draining.

Overall, foxgloves are special due to their unique combination of visual appeal, ecological benefits, historical medicinal uses, and adaptability to different garden conditions.

Landscaping with Foxglove Flowers

Landscaping with foxgloves can add a touch of elegance, color, and height to various garden styles. Here are some ideas for incorporating foxglove flowers into your landscape:

Cottage gardens: Foxgloves are a classic choice for cottage gardens, where their old-world charm and vibrant colors complement the informal planting style. Mix them with other traditional cottage garden plants like roses, delphiniums, and peonies.

Woodland gardens: Plant foxgloves in dappled shade under trees or shrubs, where they will thrive and create a naturalistic setting. Combine them with ferns, hostas, and other shade-loving perennials to achieve a lush, layered look.

Mixed perennial borders: Combine foxgloves with other perennials, such as astilbes, lupines, and hollyhocks, for vertical interest and a succession of blooms throughout the growing season. This approach can create a dynamic, visually appealing display.

Focal points: Plant foxgloves in groups or clusters to create a stunning focal point in the garden. Their height and colorful blooms will draw the eye and add visual interest to your landscape.

Pollinator gardens: Include foxgloves in pollinator-friendly gardens to attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Pair them with other nectar-rich plants like echinacea and salvia to support a diverse range of pollinators.

Containers: Dwarf or compact foxglove varieties can be grown in containers for a dramatic display on patios, decks, or balconies. Ensure the containers have proper drainage and are large enough to accommodate the plants’ root systems.

Garden edges or backdrops: Plant foxgloves at the back of a border or along a garden edge to create height and structure. Their tall spires will add depth and dimension to your garden design.

Companion Plants for Foxglove Plants

When selecting companion plants for foxgloves, consider plants that share similar growing conditions and complement the appearance of foxgloves. Here are some suitable companion plants:

Astilbe: The feathery plumes of astilbe flowers complement the vertical spikes of foxgloves, and their preference for moist, well-draining soil makes them suitable companions.

Ferns: The delicate, feathery fronds of ferns contrast beautifully with the bold, vertical foxglove flowers, particularly in woodland or shade gardens.

Hostas: The broad, textured leaves of hostas provide an excellent contrast to the tall, slender growth habit of foxgloves, especially in shady areas.

Delphiniums, lupines, and hollyhocks: These tall perennials can be combined with foxgloves to create a stunning vertical display in the garden. The variety of flower shapes and colors can create a dynamic, visually appealing landscape.

Roses: The classic charm of roses pairs well with the old-world elegance of foxgloves, making them a great combination for cottage gardens.

Peonies: The lush, full blooms of peonies contrast with the slender spires of foxgloves, adding depth and interest to mixed perennial borders.

Salvia: The spiky blooms of salvia add another layer of vertical interest and attract pollinators, complementing the foxgloves’ flower spikes.

Echinacea (Coneflower): The daisy-like flowers of echinacea provide a contrast in shape to the tubular foxglove flowers while also attracting pollinators.

Ornamental grasses: The fine, wispy textures of ornamental grasses can add movement and contrast to the bold presence of foxgloves.

Campanula (Bellflower): With bell-shaped flowers similar to foxgloves but smaller in scale, campanulas can create a harmonious combination in the garden.

When pairing foxgloves with companion plants, ensure that the chosen plants have similar light, water, and soil requirements to promote healthy growth for all plants involved.

Growing tips

Growing foxgloves can be a rewarding experience as they add vibrant colors and visual interest to your garden or containers. Here are some essential tips for successfully growing foxglove plants:

Light: Foxgloves prefer partial shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates.

Soil: Plant foxgloves in well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). They can tolerate various soil types, as long as they drain well.

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first growing season. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to promote healthy growth.

Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent excessive self-seeding.

Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you do with foxgloves when they finish flowering?

When foxgloves finish flowering, it’s a good idea to deadhead them, which means removing the spent flower spikes. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms and can extend the flowering period. However, if you’d like your foxgloves to self-seed and spread in your garden, you can leave some flower spikes to develop seeds. In the fall, you can cut back the foliage of perennial foxgloves to tidy up the garden and prepare for winter.

Do foxgloves come back every year?

Whether foxgloves come back every year depends on the type of foxglove you have. Foxgloves can be classified as biennials, short-lived perennials, or true perennials.

• Biennial foxgloves (e.g., Digitalis purpurea) grow foliage in their first year, flower in their second year, set seeds, and then die. However, they often self-seed, which can give the impression of them returning every year.
• Short-lived perennials (e.g., Digitalis lutea, Digitalis ferruginea) may return for a few years but generally have a shorter lifespan than true perennials.
• True perennial foxgloves (e.g., Digitalis grandiflora) will come back every year and have a longer lifespan than biennials and short-lived perennials.

How many years do foxgloves last?

The lifespan of a foxglove plant depends on its type:

• Biennial foxgloves have a two-year life cycle, with foliage growth in the first year, followed by flowering, seed production, and death in the second year.
• Short-lived perennials may last for a few years (2-5 years), but their lifespan is generally shorter than that of true perennials.
• True perennial foxgloves can last for many years (5-10 years or more) with proper care, including appropriate planting conditions, regular watering, and occasional fertilization.

If you allow your foxgloves to self-seed, you can have a continuous supply of new plants to replace those that have reached the end of their life cycle.