Foxgloves: sowing, planting and maintenance

Botany

The foxgloves comprise between 20 and 25 species of biennial or short-lived perennial plants. They are quite hardy. They originate from Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most well-known is the Purple Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, which grows wild in much of France, except in the Mediterranean region. It can be found at the edges of woodlands, along paths, in clearings, or on fallow land. In France, one can also encounter Digitalis grandiflora and Digitalis lutea in the wild.

Foxgloves belong to the Plantaginaceae family, but were previously classified under the Scrophulariaceae family. The Plantaginaceae family includes many plants, often herbaceous, such as plantain, penstemons, veronicas, and snapdragons. Foxgloves also bear a strong resemblance to penstemon flowers!

The name “foxglove” comes from the Latin digitus, meaning “finger”, as one can insert a finger into the flower as if it were a glove. This is also why it is sometimes referred to as “Lady’s Glove”, “Shepherd’s Glove”, or “Our Lady’s Glove”.

The foxglove is a tall, upright plant that adds verticality to the garden. It is quite an impressive plant: it has a natural appearance and integrates easily, but it is immediately noticeable due to its height, imposing shape, and brightness. The flower spikes can reach up to two metres high in the Purple Foxglove! However, in some shorter species, they do not exceed 60 cm (Digitalis lutea, Digitalis dubia, Digitalis parviflora…). The foxglove has a tall, very upright flower stem, which is unbranched. It is sturdy, robust, hollow, and pubescent. Foxgloves are often pubescent plants: their stems, flowers, capsules, and the undersides of the leaves generally bear a fine down of white hairs.

Digitalis purpurea: botanical illustration

The foxglove produces a rosette of leaves in the first year and only flowers the following year. It may die after flowering (by self-seeding), or it may live for a few more years. If you are looking for a perennial foxglove, consider Digitalis mertonensis or Digitalis ‘Glory of Roundway’.

The foxglove flowers in June-July, and sometimes until September. You must wait until the second year to see it flower, as in the first year it only produces a rosette of leaves.

Foxgloves bear long upright flower spikes, composed of numerous flowers. These are densely grouped, all on one side of the stem, and they bloom from the bottom upwards. The flowers at the top of the spike are still closed when those at the bottom are blooming. Digitalis lutea has a very fine appearance: its clusters are narrow and long, made up of small, slender flowers.

The flowers are tubular or bell-shaped, directed downwards. They consist of five fused petals that form a flared tube, surrounded by five sepals. At the end, the corolla opens into two lips, which are not always very distinct. The upper lip forms two lobes, and the lower lip, three lobes, sometimes very pronounced. Inside the corolla tube, there are four stamens. It is quite common for the flowers to be pubescent.

The Purple Foxglove bears large flowers, measuring between four and five centimetres long. They are much smaller in other varieties. In Digitalis parviflora, for example, they do not exceed two centimetres in length.

Although the most well-known is the Purple Foxglove, foxgloves can come in other colours. There are beautiful variations in shades, with red, mauve, and light pink, but also foxgloves with yellow flowers, or sometimes pure white, which makes the plant very elegant! (as seen in ‘Snow Thimble’). At other times, they take on a chocolate brown hue, as in Digitalis parviflora. The colours are generally warm, but often soft. Digitalis obscura stands out from other varieties with its brightly coloured flowers, orange-red. Apart from this particular foxglove, to enjoy vibrant blooms, one should look towards Digiplexis, plants resulting from the cross-breeding of foxgloves and Isoplexis!

The inside of foxglove flowers is usually marked with darker patterns: it can be spotted with small dots or random shapes, or veined. The contrast is quite exceptional in Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’, making the entire flower spike almost hypnotic! As for Digitalis purpurea, it bears flowers of a light purple-pink, contrasted by dark purple spots inside the corolla.

The foxglove is a melliferous plant: its pollination is carried out by insects, particularly bumblebees and bees. The lower lip of the corolla serves as a landing strip for insects that come to sip the nectar contained at the bottom of the flower.

The different blooms of foxgloves! Digitalis purpurea (photo H. Zell), Digitalis lanata (photo Katya), Digitalis grandiflora (photo Orchi) and Digitalis obscura (photo Peganum)

The leaves of the foxglove are entire and elongated, oval, undivided. Depending on the different varieties, they measure between 5 and 25 centimetres in length. They are sometimes dentate along the edge of the lamina. They are dark green in colour and are often downy on the underside. The veins are very pronounced, giving the leaves a wrinkled appearance. Some of the leaves are arranged in a rosette at the base of the flower spike, while others are attached to the stem, placed alternately (one after the other). The basal leaves are large and long-petiolate. The higher up the flower stem, the smaller the leaves become, almost sessile (very short petiole), and they become sparser and less dense. The leaves of Digitalis obscura are very narrow, almost linear.

Digitalis purpurea: rosette of basal leaves (Jean-Marc Pascolo), and a solitary leaf

The fruits are tomentose capsules (covered with fine hairs), which open at maturity, releasing a multitude of tiny seeds. They are dispersed by wind or animals. Foxgloves tend to self-seed spontaneously.

Foxgloves have been crossed with isoplexis (Isoplexis canariensis) – a closely related plant, sometimes classified among foxgloves – to produce Digiplexis. These hybrids, like foxgloves, bear upright flower spikes, but their flowers come in vibrant shades: red, orange, yellow, pink… colours even more vivid than those of foxgloves. However, they should be cultivated in a mild climate, as they are not very hardy.

The main varieties of foxgloves

The Most Cultivated Varieties

Varieties That Tolerate Lime and Sun

The Digiplexis

Very widespread, these varieties require “classic” growing conditions for foxgloves: plant them preferably in partial shade, in light, acidic, humus-bearing soil that is both cool and well-draining.

Digitalis purpurea - Common Foxglove

This is the most well-known and widespread species! It has stunning pink flowers maculate with purple on the inside of the corolla. It self-seeds easily.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Digitalis purpurea Suttons Apricot - Foxglove

This foxglove is remarkable for its soft, pale apricot pink hue, almost flesh-coloured. It is perfect for a cottage garden or a romantic-style garden.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Digitalis purpurea Pams Choice - Foxglove

A variety that offers an exceptional contrast: the flowers are white and maculate with dark purple-red spots on the inside of the throat. The corolla tube is cut and split, unlike other foxgloves where the petals are fused along their entire length. The flower thus takes on a surprising shape!

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

See the product sheet

Digitalis Glory of Roundway - Foxglove

It is appreciated for its fine and delicate flowering! Flowers of a lovely soft pink hue, slightly orangey, with a brown-spotted interior. It blooms for a long time, and, unlike other foxgloves, it is quite perennial.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 80 cm

See the product sheet

Digitalis purpurea Alba - Foxglove

This is a very elegant variety, with its long spikes composed of pure white flowers, very lightly spotted on the inside of the corolla. It will bring brightness to your flower beds.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Digitalis Goldcrest - Foxglove

A compact foxglove that bears beautiful orange-yellow flowers, tinged with pink. It tolerates sunny situations well and adapts to pot planting. It is a sterile hybrid that will not produce seeds.

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Some foxgloves differ from the most common varieties in their growing conditions. While the purple foxglove prefers acidic soils, others can thrive in calcareous soil. They tolerate sunny exposures, but it is best to avoid scorching sun, especially if you live in the south of France.

Digitalis lutea - Foxglove

This is a very hardy foxglove that offers numerous small flowers of a very soft yellow, gathered on long narrow clusters. It grows wild in France!

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 80 cm

See the product sheet

Digitalis parviflora - Foxglove

This foxglove bears long spikes composed of honey-brown flowers, slightly orangey. A very warm hue! It can grow in the sun if the soil remains cool.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 70 cm

See the product sheet

Digitalis grandiflora - Foxglove

Digitalis grandiflora bears soft yellow flowers, with a darker brown veined interior. A simple and bright flowering! It can grow in partial shade or in the sun, while avoiding scorching exposures.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 80 cm

See the product sheet

Digitalis ferruginea Gigantea - Foxglove

This foxglove offers pale yellow-ochre flowers, contrasted by brown veins on the inside of the corolla. Avoid scorching sun. It will thrive in stony soil or a scree garden.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

See the product sheet

Digitalis obscura - Foxglove

This is a very beautiful foxglove, which bears flowers in orange-red tones, in long trailing bells, as well as very fine foliage. You can easily plant it in a hot and dry situation, full south, for example in a rockery!

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

 

Digiplexis are less hardy varieties, but very colourful, resulting from a cross-breeding between foxgloves and their cousin Isoplexis canariensis.

 

Digitalis valinii Illumination Flame - Foxglove

This variety is appreciated for its flamboyant flowering! The flower is red on the outside, and opens to reveal a yellow-orange throat... A subtle gradient of warm tones!

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Digiplexis Berry Canary - Hybrid Foxglove

This digiplexis bears upright spikes composed of very beautiful pink flowers, with a cream-white throat spotted with purple. A variety with a fairly compact habit.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 70 cm

See the product sheet

Planting foxgloves

Where to plant foxglove?

Foxgloves are known to be partial shade plants, thriving for example at the edge of woodlands. While it is true that they do not like scorching sun, foxgloves (especially cultivated varieties) can also grow in sunny conditions. It all depends on your geographical location: in the Mediterranean region, it is better to place them in a spot where they will have shade during the hottest hours, while in the north of the Loire, they can be planted in full sun.

Foxglove prefers light soils. Avoid heavy, clayey soils that remain damp in winter, as they promote the onset of diseases. You can remedy this by adding pumice, gravel, or coarse sand at the time of planting. This way, water will infiltrate the soil more quickly. Foxglove also likes soils rich in organic matter, which is why it is advisable to add compost during planting. A substrate like woodland soil would be ideal (loose, light, airy, rich in humus).

Foxglove is quite a tall plant: place it towards the back of the border, behind shorter plants. You can also position foxglove just in front of a hedge. Plant it in a sheltered spot from the wind, as it may cause the stems to bend. Otherwise, you will need to stake them. Choose their location carefully: once established, foxgloves do not like to be moved!

Purple foxglove prefers acidic soils. You can add a bit of heather soil at the time of planting. However, limestone soils are perfectly suitable for other species, such as Digitalis lutea, Digitalis parviflora, or Digitalis laevigata…

While foxgloves enjoy humus-rich soils that remain cool in summer, some species adapt well to drier conditions and will thrive in a rock garden or Mediterranean garden. This is the case for example with Digitalis obscura, a stunning foxglove with orange-red flowers.

When to plant?

Plant foxgloves preferably in autumn, ideally in October. It is also possible to do so in spring.

How to plant?

We recommend spacing them 30 to 40 centimetres apart. Place them in groups, at least three or five, but avoid isolating them.

1. Soak the root ball in a basin filled with water to thoroughly rehydrate it.
2. Dig a planting hole. Loosen the bottom and incorporate some compost to enrich the soil, and if your soil is heavy, add gravel or pumice to facilitate water infiltration.
3. Plant the root ball in the hole.
4. Replace the soil all around, mixed with a few handfuls of potting soil, then firm it down.
5. Water generously.

Continue to water regularly until the plant is established.

Digitalis mertonensis (photo SB Johnny)

Maintenance

Foxgloves are easy to grow plants that require little maintenance. They thrive in cool soils; avoid letting them dry out completely during summer by providing some water in case of high temperatures. Water directly at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which could encourage the appearance of diseases such as powdery mildew or downy mildew.

Once established, it is essential to avoid moving foxgloves, as this can damage their taproot, which is quite fragile. They may need staking, as their tall flower spikes are sensitive to wind. You can also apply a layer of mulch (wood chips, dead leaves, etc.) at the base of the foxglove to prevent weeds from growing and to keep the soil cool in summer.

We encourage you to cut the flower spikes once they have faded, as this stimulates the appearance of new flowers and prevents the plant from becoming exhausted unnecessarily. However, you can also allow it to self-seed by leaving a few faded flowers on the plant.

Foxgloves prefer rich, fertile soils: they will appreciate an application of well-decomposed compost in spring. Place it at their base and incorporate it into the soil with a light raking.

Foxgloves are generally not very susceptible to diseases. However, they can be affected by powdery mildew or downy mildew. Powdery mildew is identified by the presence of a white fluff on the leaves. Treat by spraying with bicarbonate of soda. They can also be affected by anthracnose, which causes brown spots on the foliage. Slugs and snails enjoy young shoots. Protect your foxglove plants by placing wood chips or ash all around to prevent them from getting through, or make a slug trap.

Multiplication: sowing foxgloves

It is easy to multiply foxgloves by sowing their seeds. Sowing horticultural varieties tends to produce plants that revert to their original form. They may not necessarily be true to the variety you wish to propagate, particularly in terms of flowering colours. To obtain young plants identical to the mother plant, it is better to sow the botanical species (Digitalis purpurea, D. grandiflora, D. lanata, etc.).

Sowing

If conditions are suitable, and if you have not removed the faded flowers, foxgloves will self-seed abundantly. Therefore, you can leave a few faded flowers on the stems, or collect the capsules and crumble them in the location where you want new plants. Feel free to harvest the seeds to sow them yourself. You can also buy foxglove seeds to ensure you have a true variety.

Sowing foxgloves is easy to achieve. You can choose to sow them under cover or directly in the ground. As they generally only flower in the second year, and sometimes die after flowering, we recommend sowing them regularly (or, more simply, letting them self-seed in the garden) to enjoy their flowering every year.

Under cover:

Sow the seeds in spring, around May-June.

1. Fill a pot or seed tray with substrate (potting soil to which you have added coarse sand for drainage, and possibly a bit of heather soil for acidity). Level the surface and lightly firm it down.
2. Spread the seeds over the substrate. Press them down very lightly but do not cover them, as they require good light to germinate.
3. Water with a fine spray.

Place your sowing in a bright location, at a temperature of around 18 to 20 °C. Keep the substrate slightly moist until germination. Transplant the young shoots into individual pots when they are between 6 and 8 centimetres tall. Be careful as their roots are fragile, making transplantation delicate. You can plant them in the garden in autumn, around October.

A young plant of purple foxglove

In the ground:

You can sow directly in place, starting in May and throughout the summer.

1. Prepare the soil by creating a fine seedbed (remove weeds, clumps of soil, and larger stones). If your soil is chalky, add heather soil. You can also incorporate a bit of potting soil.
2. Sow the seeds on the surface.
3. Cover with a very thin layer of substrate.
4. Water with a fine spray.

Continue to water in the weeks following sowing. Many seeds will germinate, and you will need to thin them out to keep only a few of the strongest seedlings.

Associating foxgloves in the garden

With its tall, sturdy, and upright stems, foxglove is a very structuring plant. It immediately adds volume and verticality to a somewhat flat flowerbed. Take advantage of this by inserting its tall flower spikes among shorter plants, such as hardy geraniums, heucheras, bergenias, or alchemillas… Generally speaking, foxgloves are best planted at the back of flowerbeds, with shorter plants in front of them. With their slender and elongated spikes, they can create beautiful contrasts in shapes and break the monotony of a flatter flowerbed.

Foxglove has a very wild aspect, it easily integrates into a naturally styled garden. You can place it among grasses and flowers such as alliums, astrances, columbines, knauties, or burnets… Preferably choose fairly simple, understated, and light flowers. And, above all, let the foxglove self-seed spontaneously and return each time, sometimes in a different location. For a consistently natural look, don’t hesitate to plant foxglove in woodland! Create a very fresh and wild garden by planting it with ferns, tricyrtis, hostas, or brunneras… And possibly with hydrangeas that enjoy shade, such as Hydrangea serrata. The tangy hue of purple foxglove pairs perfectly with the soft green of ferns, not to mention that both are graphic plants that bring freshness. As foxglove is a plant that naturally grows at the forest edge, you can also place it against a wild hedge to create an edge effect.

Foxglove is an elegant plant that offers a palette of very delicate colours. Its flowers have a refined aspect, with patterns adorning the inside of the corolla. Use it to create a romantic atmosphere. Choose varieties in pastel shades: pink, soft yellow, white, apricot (for example, ‘Sutton’s Apricot’), etc. And pair them with roses, astrances, gypsophilas, hardy geraniums, and oriental poppies! … In a similar romantic and poetic spirit, you can integrate foxglove into a cottage garden. Prefer blue and white tones, lush foliage, and let a few upright spikes escape: those of foxglove, of course, but also of alliums or veronicastrums… Also enjoy the graceful white umbels of Apiaceae, such as Orlaya grandiflora. Foxgloves also pair well with the delicate flowers of bellflowers (for example, Campanula trachelium).

Some foxgloves, particularly Mediterranean species, can be integrated into a dry garden or scree garden. This is the case with Digitalis obscura, which bears very beautiful reddish-orange flowers and withstands heat and drought very well. Plant it in a garden facing south, in well-drained, stony soil, alongside rock garden plants: yarrow, Stipa tenuifolia, santolines, houseleeks…

An association with Digitalis ‘Suttons Apricot’, Iris ‘Jane Phillips’, and Papaver orientale ‘Patty’s Plum’ (photo Clive Nichols – MAP) / Digitalis mertonensis, Veronicastrum, and Aruncus aethusifolius ‘Horatio’

→ Discover more association ideas with foxgloves in Christine’s advice sheet.