Common foxglove is part of the Digitalis genus. Its scientific name is Digitalis purpurea. The botanical name epithet for Common foxglove (purpurea) means 'purple'.
This plant has a basal rosette of light grey green hairy leaves and it produces a tall flower spike in the spring of its second year. The flowers are traditionally purple and bell shaped held down wards on the tall stem. Prompts dead heading may preserve the plant for another year or leave it to self seed.
Blooms appear in these approximate colours: Medium red-violet and Cherry blossom pink and Light goldenrod yellow. The mature flowers are of a funnel form. Common foxglove grows as a biennial and is a flower / herb. Being a biennial plant, it tends to grow best over the course of two years. Normally reaching to a mature height of 5.94 feet (1.83 metres). This plant tends to bloom in early summer. Popular varieties of Common foxglove with home gardeners are Foxy, Mixed Colors Digitalis, alba, Pam's choice, and Excelsior Group Hybrids.Common foxglove is normally quite a low maintenance plant and is normally very easy to grow - great for beginner gardeners!
This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Common foxglove have been kindly provided by our members.
How to grow Common foxglove
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Dappled Sun
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Medium
May require staking. Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Deadhead when about three-fourths of the flower spike has faded. Cut back to basal rosettes after flowering has finished. Leave a few flower spikes if you want plants to reseed.
To encourage plants to flower again the following year, cut the flower spikes back before seeds set. Then dig plant and replant new rosettes.
Plant in a location that enjoys dappled sun and remember to water moderately. Zone 4 to 8 are typically the USDA Hardiness Zones that are appropriate for this plant (although this can vary based on your microclimate). Keep in mind when planting that Common foxglove is thought of as hardy, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures.Growing Common foxglove from seed
By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Common foxglove about 70 days before your last frost date .
Transplanting Common foxglove
Propagate by seed – Start seeds outdoors in a nursery bed any time after frost danger has passed up until 2 months before the first heavy fall frost. Do not cover, as light aids germination. Transplant the plants to their garden location in the fall or the following spring. Plants readily self-seed.
Days to emergence: 14 to 21
Companion plants for Common foxglove
These plants have been known to grow well alongside Common foxglove so consider planting:
Repellent plants for Common foxglove
These plants will not grow well with Common foxglove so avoid planting these within close proximity:
Common Common foxglove problems
These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Common foxglove plants:
Self seeds easily
Common foxglove Etymology
*With rich, moist but well-drained soil and partial shade, this garden classic will produce spikes up to 5 feet tall of dainty, two-lipped blooms. ‘Foxy’ hybrids will bloom the first year from seed. With most other varieties, you can stretch their biennial nature and get them to flower an additional year or so.
Other names for Common foxglove
Foxglove, Digitalis
Digitalis tomentosa
Misspellings: Vingerhoedskruid, Digitalis pupurea
Common foxglove care instructions
How long does Common foxglove take to grow?
When should I plant Common foxglove?
Our when to plant Common foxglove estimates are relative to your last frost date. Enter your frost dates and we'll calculate your sowing and planting dates for you!
Footnotes
Popular varieties of Common foxglove
Common foxglove Forums
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