Family: Scrophulariaceae
Common Name: Foxglove

These hardy biennial and perennial plants are mostly found in European woodlands, though some species are native to the Mediterranean and central Asia. They make excellent border or background plants. Digitalis is renowned for its medicinal properties, still being used today in the treatment of certain heart conditions. However, all plant parts can be poisonous if eaten and the sap may cause skin irritation.

Species

D. ferruginea, rusty foxglove, is a bien­nial, to 1.2 m (4 ft), with rusty brown summer flowers.

D. grandiflora, yellow foxglove, grows to I m (3 ft), with pale yellow flowers blotched brown.

D. lanata, Grecian foxglove, is a bien­nial, growing to 1 m (3 ft), with creamy white flowers.

D. lutea, a perennial to 1 m (3 ft), pro­duces yellow to white flowers.

D. purpurea, common foxglove, is a short-lived perennial, grown as a biennial. It reaches 1 m (3 ft) or more, with purple flowers, spotted in a deeper shade. Many good strains and varieties are available, including the Foxy Group strains and the Excelsior Group hybrids, with flowers in lovely soft colours, ranging from cream and yellow to pink and purple, that bloom all round the stems and do not droop. Flowers last surprisingly well when cut.

Cultivation

Foxgloves like a rich, moist soil, with some protection from wind, and look very attractive planted in drifts. They are self-seed­ing. All species are propagated by seed sown on the surface of compost in seed trays in the spring. Germinate in a garden frame.

Climate

Zone 8.