Foxglove has a fascinating story of adaptation. Originally from Europe, a study by a visiting team from the University of Sussex found that Digitalis in the U.S. had longer flower tubes than those in Great Britain. The reason for this appears to be the hummingbird, whose incredible skill at pollinating flowers with longer corolla, turning a rare genetic flaw into a success story. As a result, our Foxglove is even more beautiful in it’s naturalized North American landscape, thanks to the hummingbird.

Foxglove also supports another pollinator of particular note, and there is a particular symbiotic relationship here, as well. Bumblebees have a particular attraction to purple Foxglove, which encourages this color to be one of particular dominance among Digitalis purpurea, hence the latin attachment for the color purple. 

While a particularly attractive plant, both visually to humans and as a food source to hummingbirds and bumble bees, note that Digitalis purpurea is a highly toxic to ingest for man and pet alike. Foxglove is a wonderful, beneficial plant which will naturalize in your garden space and form beautiful colonies, but if you have a pet with a habit of chewing anything, or a small child whom is very adventurous about putting things in their mouth, this plant may not be for you.

Care:

Foxglove is a relatively low care plant, given a desirable space in the garden. A couple of strategies after planting are beneficial for optimum display. One, remove the first series of spent flower stalks to encourage secondary stalks to arise and bloom. After the flowering season ends, which is generally after mid-Summer, allow seed pods to form and mature. Then cut back the tops of the plant.

Additionally weed around your Foxglove at around the time when the seed heads are maturing. Allowing the seed to spread and germinate in the desired area (they will begin germinating and growing within the same year) will produce a lush colony which graces your garden with a wide array of stunning colors.

Site your Foxglove in a well-drained location which receives a medium amount of moisture. Foxglove is found in fields and woodland edges where there is consistent access to moisture, but where the soil does not remain soggy. To help with drainage and feed Foxglove’s appetite for nutrients, enrich the soil with compost, and apply a leaf mulch in the autumn.

Foxglove does best in full sun to part shade in cooler areas, and in partial to full shade in areas that can reach the mid-to-upper 90’s during the summer.