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Digitalis purpurea (Common foxglove)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Digitalis purpurea
Other names
Common foxglove
Genus
Digitalis Digitalis
Species
D. purpurea - D. purpurea is a biennial plant, forming a basal clump of leaves in its first year, then tall, upright spikes of purple-pink, bell-shaped flowers in its second year. If allowed to self-seed, it will replenish itself in the garden.
Digitalis purpurea is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
Toxicity
All parts of the plant are highly toxic if eaten.
Flower
Purplish-pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Leaf spot , Powdery mildew Leaf spot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage a second flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Digitalis purpurea (Common foxglove) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Meadow, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant in almost any soil or situation except very wet or very dry. An ideal site is a humus-rich soil in part shade. Seeds can be planted in situ and plants left to self-seed after flowering.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Digitalis purpurea
Other names
Common foxglove
Genus
Digitalis Digitalis
Species
D. purpurea - D. purpurea is a biennial plant, forming a basal clump of leaves in its first year, then tall, upright spikes of purple-pink, bell-shaped flowers in its second year. If allowed to self-seed, it will replenish itself in the garden.
Native to
Central Europe, Southwestern Europe
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
Toxicity
All parts of the plant are highly toxic if eaten.
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Colour
Flower
Purplish-pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage a second flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Digitalis purpurea (Common foxglove) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Meadow, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant in almost any soil or situation except very wet or very dry. An ideal site is a humus-rich soil in part shade. Seeds can be planted in situ and plants left to self-seed after flowering.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Digitalis purpurea
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