The spotted throats of foxglove (Digitalis spp.) flowers guide pollinators, such as bumble bees, to the nectar deep inside the individual flowers.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2022 HGIC, Clemson University
For years, Foxglove (Digitalis species) has been a quintessential cottage garden flower. It is native to Europe and is a member of the plantain (Plantaginaceae) family. Foxglove adds height and color to the garden. Grow foxglove with other perennials along a fence or in front of large evergreen shrubs. Plant a large group for an eye-catching display.
Tall flower spikes bloom in the spring and early summer. The bell-shaped flowers dangle from the stem and face downward. Spikes can contain from 20 to 80 individual flowers. The flowers bloom from the bottom up to the top of the spike. Flower colors include light to dark shades of pink, purple, peach, yellow, and white. Most foxgloves have spots on the inside throats of the individual flowers. Hummingbirds and other pollinators often visit the flowers.
Cultivars of foxglove can range from 2 to 3 feet to 5 to 6 feet tall. Stake the taller varieties. Cut flower spikes to use in bouquets. More flower spikes will be encouraged after the central spike is cut.
Most foxgloves are either perennial or biennial, depending on the species. Perennial foxgloves live several years. To extend their life, divide every other year. They also reseed in the garden. The strawberry foxglove, Digitalis x mertonensis, is one of the most widely grown perennial foxgloves.
The strawberry foxglove (Digitalis x mertonensis) is a perennial that thrives in the afternoon shade.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is biennial, meaning it will live for two years. A rosette of foliage is formed low to the ground in the first year. The leaves are hairy and can reach 10 to 12 inches long. In the second year, a flower spike grows from the rosette of foliage. Common foxglove cultivars include ‘Foxy,’ ‘Pam’s Choice,’ ‘Sutton’s Apricot,’ ‘Excelsior,’ and ‘Candy Mountain.’
Some cultivars of common foxglove will bloom the first year from seed. Sow these in the fall for blooms the following spring. Cultivars that bloom in the first year include ‘Camelot’ and ‘Dalmatian.’
Foxglove is paired with Japanese Silver Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) in the shade garden at Riverbanks Botanical Garden in Columbia, SC.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2024 HGIC, Clemson University
Foxgloves are hardy in USDA planting zones 4 to 9. Plant foxglove in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade in South Carolina. Foxgloves grow best in soil amended with organic matter that is well drained.
Over time, foxgloves may produce more seedlings than desired. To reduce the number of seedlings, cut down all but one or two flower spikes before they produce seeds. Collect the number of wanted seeds from those remaining spikes and sow while the seed is fresh. Foxglove seeds need light to germinate, so they should not be covered with soil.
Deer and rabbits usually do not browse foxglove since all parts of the plants are toxic.
A single spike of white foxglove (Digitalis ‘Alba’) growing in my Upstate Garden. I let it go to seed and hope to have more foxgloves in the coming years.
Ginger E. Long, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
