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Foxglove
Digitalis
Foxglove blooms from May through July.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Foxglove
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–8. Expect it to reach about 3.9 ft tall and 1.3 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Foxglove
Plant Foxglove in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 8 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from May to July.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
Comes in 10 varieties across 5 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Foxglove
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
Every part is highly toxic to people, dogs, cats and horses; the cardiac glycosides can cause vomiting, blurred vision, an irregular pulse, even death. Wear gloves when handling. per NC State and RHS
Worth knowing
Foxglove is the source of the heart drugs digitalis and digoxin. The same molecule that treats heart failure will stop a heart at the wrong dose. per NCBI
Sun or shade, by climate
US sources say full sun to part shade, with afternoon shade in hot summers; the RHS (cooler UK) says dappled to deep shade. Keep the soil moist either way. per RHS
Biennial, not a perennial
Makes only a leaf rosette its first year, flowers the second, then usually dies after setting seed. Camelot, Dalmatian and Foxy strains bloom the first season. per NC State
Deer and rabbit resistant
Deer and rabbits avoid it: the same toxic compounds that make it dangerous also make it unpalatable to browsers. per NC State
Bumblebee forage plant
The long, nectar-rich tubular flowers are classic forage for long-tongued bumblebees, and also draw hummingbirds and butterflies. per RHS
Deadhead, but leave some seed
Cut the spent spike at its base; never shear the plant, since the bloom sits on one spike. Leave a few spikes to self-sow, or the stand dies out. per RHS
What pairs well with Foxglove
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Hellebore
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 1.3 ft, for the front of the border.
Windflower
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath.
Bergenia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 1.3 ft, for the front of the border.
Primrose
Shares part shade and moderate water; opens in early spring and overlaps into this one's season; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; yellow against pink, for contrast.
Snowdrop
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; low at 5 in, to carpet the ground beneath; its white flowers settle the pink.
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Christmas Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 1.6 ft, for the front of the border.
Snowflake
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 12 in, for the front of the border; its white flowers settle the pink.
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