Foxglove
Digitalis
Known for its towers of blooms, this classic favorite has long graced many gardens. Foxglove looks much like its name, containing glove-like bells that come in an array of colors. Foxglove is known for its wonderful patterns and makes quite the statement when planted in mass amounts. Be careful where you plant them, as all parts of this plant are highly poisonous.
Light:
Part Sun, Sun
Type:
Height:
From 1 to 8 feet
Width:
1-3 feet
Foliage Color:
Seasonal Features:
Problem Solvers:
Special Features:
Zones:
3-8
Propagation
Colorful Combinations
With so many colors to choose from, you will have an easy time finding a foxglove to fit your garden space. Most foxgloves are biennials, which means that the first year grows from seed and plants will simply be a rosette of foliage at ground level with no blooms. The second year, the glorious spikes of blooms will produce bountiful amounts of seed in order to start the 2-year cycle all over again. A few foxgloves are true perennials, blooming each year. Many of these come in more subdued colors with smaller blossoms, but they still are wonderful additions to the perennial garden.
Foxglove Care Must-Knows
Foxglove plants are very easy to grow, and they have very few requirements in order to prosper. Ideal conditions for these plants vary depending on the variety and species, but in general, they prefer evenly moist, well-drained soils. These perennials are not very drought tolerant, especially when in bloom, so make sure to give them water during long and dry periods. They also prefer acidic soil, so depending on your soil type, it may be a good idea to add soil acidifiers.
Many foxgloves do best in full sun, but some will get by just fine in part shade. Some of these perennial types actually prefer part shade over full sun, so make sure to check which type you have before planting. The full sun varieties may have more problems with powdery mildew on the foliage if planted in shady conditions.
It's important to remember that biennial varieties will most likely not bloom in the first year. The second year, they will send up beautiful spikes of blooms (which hummingbirds love), and if you cut them back immediately after they are done, you can encourage a second round of blooms. Also keep in mind that, as a biennial, the foxglove plants will die when they have finished blooming for the season. Make sure to leave a few spent blooms on the plant so they can produce seeds to grow more seedlings the next year.
New Innovations
Because foxgloves are largely seed-grown varieties, there is always research being done to improve seed strains and introduce new colors. Professional breeders are also looking to create first-year flowering plants.
Recently, there was a foxglove breakthrough by crossing foxglove with Isoplexis, a plant believed at the time to be another closely related genus, to create Digiplexis. There is some question now as to whether Isoplexis may in fact be a foxglove instead of a separate genus. Either way, Digiplexis is a new line of sterile foxglove that blooms all season on dense plants for quite the show.
garden plans for Foxglove
More Varieties of Foxglove
Common foxglove
Digitalis purpurea is a short-lived, self-sowing perennial or biennial. It is a mainstay in cottage gardens. Zones 5-8
Digitalis grandiflora
A beautiful perennial foxglove, these plants do best in part shade, and have light yellow blooms from May-June. Zones 3-8
'Foxy' foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Foxy' blooms reliably from seed its first year with 2- to 3-foot-tall spikes of pink, purple, white, or cream with maroon markings. Zones 5-8
Strawberry foxglove
Digitalis x mertonensis bears strawberry-red bloom spikes up to 3 feet tall. Divide plants every two to three years to maintain vigor. Zones 4-8
Woolly foxglove
Digitalis lanata is an Eastern European native that grows 1 to 2 feet tall and bears bicolor white and brown flowers in June and July. Zones 4-9
plant Foxglove With:
Lady's mantle
Hosta
