Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)

Adding a bold, vertical dimension to perennial flower beds, shade gardens, and cottage gardens, Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove) is a stately biennial or short-lived perennial boasting tall, one-sided spires of pendant, tubular, bright rosy-purple flowers, 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), with white speckled throats. Blooming from early to midsummer, they rise from a basal rosette of downy, oblong, deep green leaves. Attractive to hummingbirds which hover near the tubular blossoms and to birds which flock to the seedheads in fall, this lovely plant naturalizes well, as it self-sows freely, and creates lovely colonies in the landscape.

• Grows up to 3-5 ft. high (90-150 cm) and spreads 18-24 in. (45-60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers a humus-rich soil in partial shade but will grow in full sun. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Easy to grow, Foxglove is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, coastal gardens or naturalized areas. Perfect foil in front of shrubs or dark backgrounds. For best visual impact, plant Floxgloves in groups of 3 to 4 plants.
• Propagate by seed sown in-situ in late spring. Alternatively sow in seed trays in late spring and plant out to final position in late summer.
• Cut back after flowering. Self-seeds freely under optimum growing conditions. Deadhead after flowering to avoid problems with excess numbers of seedlings.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, leaf and bud eelworm, leaf spots and powdery mildew.
• Highly toxic by ingestion. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
• Digitalis purpurea is native to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe.
• Find where Digitalis purpurea species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.