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. 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.
Foxgloves often grow tall, with some species reaching up to 5 feet or more. Their flowers are arranged on spikes or racemes, giving them a stately, vertical presence in the garden. The flowers are tubular and bell-shaped, hanging elegantly from the stems. They come in various colors, predominantly shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow. The insides often feature intricate patterns or spots, usually contrasting with the exterior color.
The leaves are lance-shaped, with a rough texture, and are often quite large at the base of the plant, forming a rosette. As you move up the stem, the leaves become smaller. They can be hairy or smooth, depending on the species. Most foxgloves are biennial, meaning they grow leaves in the first year and bloom in the second year, then die after seeding. However, some species are perennial, returning year after year, and others can be short-lived perennials or behave like perennials if conditions are right.
Foxgloves are prolific self-seeders. After blooming, they produce an abundance of seeds which can lead to new plants in subsequent years, sometimes classified as weeds due to their invasive potential in some gardens. In some species or cultivars, the leaves might change color in response to environmental conditions, turning more reddish or purple in colder temperatures or poor soil.
All parts of the foxglove plant are toxic, containing cardiac glycosides like digoxin and digitoxin. These compounds can affect the heart, making the plant poisonous if ingested, yet they are used in heart medication under strict medical supervision.
Despite their toxicity to humans and some animals, foxgloves attract various pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, due to the shape and structure of their flowers which provide nectar.
Many foxglove species are quite hardy, tolerating cold winters (USDA zones 4-8), although some species or cultivars might need protection in extremely cold climates.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
- Origin: Native to western and southwestern Europe.
- Characteristics: Grows up to 4-5 feet tall with tubular, bell-shaped flowers that are usually pink or purple with spotted throats. It’s biennial or short-lived perennial, producing rosettes of leaves in the first year and flowering in the second.
Digitalis grandiflora (Yellow Foxglove)
- Origin: Central Europe to Russia and the Caucasus.
- Characteristics: This perennial species is smaller, reaching 2-3 feet, with yellow flowers that have brown or purple netting inside. It’s more tolerant of shade and can be a longer-lived perennial.
Digitalis lutea (Straw Foxglove)
- Origin: Southern and Central Europe.
- Characteristics: A shorter plant, about 18 inches tall, with pale yellow flowers. It’s perennial and less common than some other foxgloves.
Digitalis lanata (Grecian Foxglove)
- Origin: Southern Europe and Turkey.
- Characteristics: Known for its medicinal use, it has narrow leaves and smaller, more spaced flowers than D. purpurea, usually in creamy white or pale yellow.
Digitalis thapsi (Spanish Foxglove)
- Origin: Spain.
- Characteristics: Large, creamy white flowers with purple veins inside. It’s biennial to short-lived perennial, often with hairy leaves.
Digitalis ferruginea (Rusty Foxglove)
- Origin: Eastern Europe, especially the Balkans.
- Characteristics: Named for the rust-colored flowers, which are actually more of a soft brown or straw color with orange or purple interiors. It’s a biennial or perennial.
Digitalis laevigata (Giraffe Foxglove)
- Origin: Central and Eastern Europe.
- Characteristics: Flowers are creamy white with intricate purple veining, giving it the ‘giraffe’ moniker. It’s less common in cultivation but very ornamental.
Digitalis obscura (Sunset Foxglove)
- Origin: Spain.
- Characteristics: Known for its bell-shaped, deep orange to reddish flowers, this species is perennial and likes warm, sunny conditions.
Digitalis purpurea ‘Alba’
- Origin: Cultivar of D. purpurea.
- Characteristics: Pure white flowers with a few spots inside, maintaining the tall, stately growth habit of the common foxglove.
Digitalis purpurea ‘Excelsior’
- Origin: Cultivar series bred for garden use.
- Characteristics: Larger flowers in shades of pink, rose, purple, and white, often with a deeper throat. They are biennial with a height up to 5 feet.
Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’
- Origin: Cultivar named after Pam Smith, who introduced it.
- Characteristics: Flowers are large, white with burgundy throats, very striking. It’s a biennial but can be treated as a perennial if allowed to self-seed.
Digitalis x mertonensis (Strawberry Foxglove)
- Origin: A hybrid between D. purpurea and D. grandiflora.
- Characteristics: It has copper-pink flowers and is considered one of the best perennials among foxgloves, with good vigor and repeat flowering.
Digitalis parviflora (Small-Flowered Foxglove)
- Origin: Spain.
- Characteristics: Very dark brown to almost black flowers, giving it an exotic look. It’s perennial and less towering than some other species.
Digitalis canariensis (Canary Island Foxglove)
- Origin: Canary Islands.
- Characteristics: Evergreen with creamy yellow flowers that have red spots. It’s a shrub-like perennial, less hardy in temperate climates.
Digitalis ciliata (Hairy Foxglove)
- Origin: Eastern Europe to Western Asia.
- Characteristics: Known for its hairy leaves and stems, it has pale yellow flowers with a cream center. It’s perennial but less commonly cultivated.