Overview
Digitalis purpurea is a bushy annual biennial in the genus Digitalis, part of the Plantaginaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1-2 years. Digitalis purpurea grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, mediterranean climate plants, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds. It is native to Belgium, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Spain and Sweden.
About
Digitalis purpurea, the foxglove or common foxglove, is a toxic species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe. It has also naturalized in parts of North America, as well as some other temperate regions. The plant is a popular garden subject, with many cultivars available. It is the original source of the heart medicine digoxin (also called digitalis or digitalin). Mature plants reach roughly 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Digitalis purpurea
About the genus
Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennial plants, shrubs, and biennials, commonly called foxgloves.
Wikipedia contributors, "Digitalis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Digitalis
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Digitalis
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Digitalis purpurea size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Belgium, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Spain, Sweden
- Toxicity
- Digitalis purpurea, the foxglove or common foxglove, is a toxic species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to and widesp
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Digitalis purpurea
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil, tolerates a range of soil types and pH levels, benefits from full sun to partial shade, requires moist but well-drained conditions, can be grown from seed sown in late spring or by division in early spring
- Pruning
- Remove spent flower spikes to encourage new growth and prevent self-seeding; cut back foliage after flowering to promote healthy regrowth
- Propagation
- Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring, Division in early spring
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Leaf and bud eelworm
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, Downy mildews, Leaf spot
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Digitalis purpurea?
Prefers well-drained soil, tolerates a range of soil types and pH levels, benefits from full sun to partial shade, requires moist but well-drained conditions, can be grown from seed sown in late spring or by division in early spring.
Where is the best place to plant Digitalis purpurea?
Digitalis purpurea prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Digitalis purpurea need?
Digitalis purpurea is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How do I prune Digitalis purpurea?
Remove spent flower spikes to encourage new growth and prevent self-seeding; cut back foliage after flowering to promote healthy regrowth.
How big does Digitalis purpurea grow?
Digitalis purpurea reaches a height of 1.5-2.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 1-2 years to reach full size.
Is Digitalis purpurea hardy in the UK?
Digitalis purpurea has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Digitalis purpurea?
Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring, Division in early spring.
Is Digitalis purpurea toxic?
Digitalis purpurea, the foxglove or common foxglove, is a toxic species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to and widesp.
More in the Digitalis genus
Browse all Digitalis →
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