(Digitalis purpurea ‘Foxglove’)

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Foxglove is a biennial/short lived perennial flower that is native to eastern Europe but can be commonly found growing in open woods, woodland clearings, moorland and heath margins, sea-cliffs, rocky mountain slopes and hedge banks throughout the northeastern and northwestern United States. At maturity, this plant features thick, textured leaves at the base and tall spikes of tubular, dangling 2-3” blossoms of rose pink or purple with tiny contrasting spots. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer and rabbits, and is great as a cut flower! 

  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Companion Planting
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Family: Plantaginaceae

Genus: Digitalis

Species: purpurea

Variety: Foxglove

Also Known As: Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove, Finger Flower, Fairy Glove, Lady’s Glove, and Fairy Thimbles.

Native to: Belgium, Corse, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Spain, Sweden.

Introduced into: Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arkansas, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, British Columbia, California, Canary Is., Central European Rus, Chile Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Colombia, Colorado, Connecticut, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hungary, Idaho, Jamaica, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Madeira, Maine, Malawi, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Montana, Netherlands, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Northwest European R, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Peru, Poland, Québec, Réunion, Sakhalin, South European Russi, Ukraine, Uruguay, Utah, Venezuela, Vermont, Vietnam, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Zimbabwe.

Grown as: Biennial

Maturity (Bloom): Summer

Crops: Spring, Summer

Growing Conditions: This plant prefers light, moist soil and partial shade but can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture.

Outdoor Growing Temp: 60°F - 90°F

Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 70°F. Foxglove needs warm (60ºF - 70ºF) soil.

Start Outdoors: Yes

Small Gardens?: Yes

Light: Sun. Partial Shade.

Water: This plant prefers consistently moist soil that drains well, since soggy soil can cause disease. Water well especially in dry periods; a layer of mulch may help conserve moisture.

Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes

Height: 48-60"

Spacing: 18-24"
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Sow Depth: On soil surface.

USDA Grow Zone: 4a-8b

Produces: thick, textured leaves at the base and tall spikes of tubular, dangling 2-3” blossoms of rose pink or purple with tiny contrasting spots.
Direct sow in spring after the last frost, mixing the fine seed with sand in order to distribute it evenly. Cover it very thinly by scattering soil on top, and water lightly to avoid disturbing the seeds. Germination should take place within 3-4 weeks with a soil temperature of 65-70 degrees F. Thin or transplant seedlings to 10-12” apart. This plant prefers light, moist soil and partial shade but can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture.
This plant prefers consistently moist soil that drains well, since soggy soil can cause disease. Water well especially in dry periods; a layer of mulch may help conserve moisture. In its first year of growth, foxglove will develop a low rosette of thick leaves; the flowering stalk will come in the second year. If the foliage becomes infected with powdery mildew or leaf spot, begin treatment immediately since this can damage the entire plant; either remove the infected leaves or apply a safe fungicide. Insects such as aphids, slugs, and Japanese beetles also tend to target this plant. Since a single plant can produce up to two million seeds, they will firmly establish themselves as perennials and can be rather invasive if left to themselves. The wilted flower stalks can be removed to prevent this, or the young seedlings can easily be transplanted elsewhere. This plant makes an excellent background plant because of its height, and attracts bees and hummingbirds as well as resisting deer and rabbits.
For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water. Handle carefully, since this entire plant is poisonous to humans and animals and can be fatal if ingested.
Watch the developing seed heads carefully, since they will split and release their seeds when fully ripe. As soon as the seed head can easily be opened to reveal ripe brown seed, it is ready to harvest. Remove the entire stalk or individual heads as they ripen, shaking out the seed. Store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place.
Good companion plants for foxgloves are: Snapdragons, Zinnias, Phlox, Nicotiana, Lobelia, Cornflower, Dianthus, and Portulaca. The blue color of the Lobelia and Cornflower make a perfect complement to the pink and purple Foxgloves in your garden. Match Zinnias of multiple colors with Foxgloves to create a striking combination of textures.

While some flowers may at first seem attractive when matched with the Foxglove, consider that the plant grows an average of 2 to 3 feet tall. Ground covers like Creeping Phlox and Alyssum will look better as border plants or next to shorter plants. Aim for the companion flowers to be at least 8 inches tall, and your Foxgloves will look great when blended in with them.

Suggested Varieties

(Zinnia elegans ‘Canary Bird’)

Canary Bird Zinnia is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be found growing in the southern and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright branching stems, 5” lance-shaped green leaves, and 4-5” bright yellow dahlia-type flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Zinnia elegans ‘Cherry Queen’)

Cherry Queen Zinnia is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be found growing in the southern and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright branching stems, 5” lance-shaped green leaves, and 4-5” bright red dahlia-type flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!  
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(Zinnia elegans ‘Exquisite’)

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Exquisite Zinnia is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be found growing in the southern and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright branching stems, 5” lance-shaped green leaves, and 4-5” bright red dahlia-type flowers that fade to soft rose pink. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Zinnia elegans ‘Luminosa’)

Luminosa Zinnia is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be found growing in the southern and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright branching stems, 5” lance-shaped green leaves, and 4-5” bright pink dahlia-type flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!  
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(Zinnia elegans ‘Orange King’)

Orange King Zinnia is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be found growing in the southern and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright branching stems, 5” lance-shaped green leaves, and 4-5” bright orange dahlia-type flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Zinnia elegans ‘Polar Bear’)

Polar Bear Zinnia is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be found growing in the southern and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright branching stems, 5” lance-shaped green leaves, and 4-5” bright white dahlia-type flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Centaurea cyanus ‘Dwarf Blue’)

Dwarf Blue Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1” circlet of tiny lavender blue flowers with a darker center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Centaurea cyanus ‘Tall Blue’)

Tall Blue Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1” circlet of tiny lavender blue flowers with a darker center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Centaurea cyanus ‘Tall Pink’)

Tall Pink Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1-1½” circlet of tiny pale pink flowers with a darker pink center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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