Perennial
Foxglove
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers in May | Flowers in June | Flowers in July | |||||||||
| Plant | Plant in May | Plant in June | Plant in September | Plant in October | ||||||||
| Prune | Prune in July | |||||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in May | Looks good in June | Looks good in July |
Overview
Our native foxglove produces tall spikes of thimble-shaped flowers, usually pinkish-purple with speckled throats, in early summer. Bumblebees climb right inside the bells. Besides the wild form, look for the pure white Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora, apricot 'Sutton's Apricot', and the Dalmatian series, which flower in their first year from an early sowing. Every part of the plant is poisonous, so site it thoughtfully if young children or animals use the garden.
Where to grow foxglove
Foxgloves are woodland-edge plants and look most natural in dappled shade under trees, along hedges or among shrubs. They tolerate full sun if the soil stays reasonably moist, but in hot, dry spots the leaves scorch and flowering is brief. Acid to neutral soil suits them best, though they are not fussy.
Planting
Sow seed thinly on the surface in late spring or early summer, as it needs light to germinate, then prick out and plant the young rosettes into their flowering positions in autumn. Alternatively buy plants in autumn or spring. Space them 30–45 cm apart in loose groups rather than rows.
Care through the year
Spring
Rosettes planted the year before begin to send up flower stems. Mulch around them and watch for slugs.
Summer
Water in dry spells while flowering. Cut the main spike after flowering to encourage side shoots, or leave it to seed.
Autumn
Plant out home-raised seedlings and thin any self-sown ones to about 30 cm apart.
Winter
The low rosettes stay green in mild areas; no protection is needed.
Pruning
No regular pruning is needed. Removing the central spike once most of its flowers have faded often prompts shorter secondary spikes. If you want seedlings, leave at least one or two spikes to ripen and shed seed before pulling up the spent plant.
Propagation
Seed is the way. Self-sown seedlings move easily while small; lift them with a trowel and a good root ball. Named colours can cross with wild plants nearby, so expect seedlings to drift back towards purple.
Common problems
Few serious problems. Slugs and snails can damage young rosettes, and leaf spot may mark foliage in damp summers; remove affected leaves and give plants space for air flow. Plants that die after flowering are not ill, simply finished.
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in May, June, July, September and October. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.