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Digitalis
Towering Spires of Color & Charm
Digitalis, or Foxgloves, are majestic biennials (often treated as annuals or short-lived perennials) celebrated for their towering flower spikes and bell-shaped blooms. They bring unparalleled vertical interest, vibrant color, and a touch of whimsical charm to cottage gardens and naturalistic landscapes. Here is why you should choose them:
- Dramatic Vertical Accent: Elevate your garden design with the striking height and stately presence of Foxgloves. Their tall spires create stunning vertical lines, adding drama and dimension to flower beds and borders.
- Enchanting Bell-Shaped Flowers: Be mesmerized by the delicate, bell-shaped flowers that adorn the towering stalks. These charming blooms come in a delightful range of colors, from classic pinks and purples to creamy whites, yellows, and even spotted variations.
- Cottage Garden Essential: Foxgloves are the quintessential cottage garden plant! Their informal, upright habit and romantic blooms perfectly embody the relaxed and colorful style of a traditional cottage garden.
- Attracts Hummingbirds & Bees: Welcome pollinators to your garden! Foxglove flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds and bumblebees, drawn to their nectar-rich blossoms. They are vital for a thriving garden ecosystem.
- Thrives in Sun to Part Shade: Digitalis are versatile, thriving in both sunny and partially shaded locations. They adapt well to a variety of garden conditions, making them easy to incorporate into different landscape settings.
- Easy to Grow from Seed: Enjoy abundant blooms year after year! Foxgloves readily self-seed, naturalizing easily in suitable conditions. You can also easily start them from seed, allowing for cost-effective garden expansion.
- Deer Resistant (Generally): Protect your blooms from browsing deer. Foxgloves are generally considered deer resistant, making them a valuable choice for gardens where deer are a concern.
- Excellent Cut Flowers: Bring the garden indoors! Foxglove spires make spectacular and long-lasting additions to floral arrangements, adding height and drama to bouquets.
Bring height, color, and pollinator appeal to your garden! Choose Digitalis Foxgloves and experience the magic of these towering beauties.
Choosing the Right Location:
- Light: Digitalis thrive in full sun to partial shade. They prefer at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for best flowering. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial.
- Soil: Plant in well-drained, fertile soil. They are adaptable to a range of soil types but prefer soil that is rich in organic matter. Amend heavy clay soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.
- Good Drainage is Key: Ensure the planting location has good drainage. Foxgloves are susceptible to root rot in soggy soil, especially during winter.
When to Plant:
- Starting from Seed:
- Start Seeds Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost in spring.
- Direct Sow After Last Frost: Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost in spring, or in late summer for blooms the following year.
- Transplants:
- Spring or Fall Planting: Plant nursery-grown transplants in spring or fall. Spring planting allows them to establish before summer heat. Fall planting allows root development before winter dormancy.
- Avoid Summer Planting: Planting during the heat of summer can stress young plants.
How to Plant:
- Dig the Hole: Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plant's root ball and just as deep.
- Amend the Soil: If your soil is poor, mix in compost or well-rotted manure into the excavated soil.
- Planting Depth: Place the Digitalis root ball in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill and Water: Backfill the hole with the amended soil, gently firming it around the plant. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
- Spacing: Space Digitalis plants about 12-18 inches apart, depending on the variety and desired effect.
Ongoing Care:
- Watering:
- Consistent Moisture: Digitalis prefer consistently moist soil, especially during their active growing and flowering period (spring and early summer).
- Water Deeply: Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Avoid Overwatering: While they like moisture, avoid soggy conditions. Ensure good drainage.
- Reduce Watering After Bloom: After flowering, reduce watering as the plants prepare to set seed or go dormant.
- Mulching:
- Apply Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark, wood chips, or straw, around the base of the plants.
- Benefits of Mulch: Mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and can help prevent soil splashing onto foliage, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
- Fertilizing (Optional):
- Generally, Not Necessary: Digitalis are not heavy feeders and generally do not require much fertilizer, especially if planted in fertile soil.
- If Needed: If growth seems weak, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Follow product instructions carefully.
- Staking (Often Recommended):
- Tall Varieties May Need Staking: Tall varieties of Digitalis, especially those in exposed locations, may need staking to prevent flower spikes from bending or breaking in wind or heavy rain.
- Stake Early: Stake plants early in the season as they begin to grow tall. Use stakes and soft ties to gently support the flower stalks.
- Deadheading (To Prevent Self-Seeding and Encourage More Bloom - Optional):
- Prevent Self-Seeding (If Desired): If you want to prevent excessive self-seeding, deadhead spent flower spikes before they go to seed.
- Encourage Side Shoots (Potentially): Deadheading the main flower spike may encourage the development of smaller side shoots and potentially a slightly extended bloom period, though Digitalis are primarily spring/early summer bloomers.
- Allowing Self-Seeding (For Naturalizing):
- Let Some Flowers Go to Seed: If you want Foxgloves to naturalize and return year after year, allow some flower spikes to mature and go to seed.
- Control Self-Seeding if Needed: Be aware that Digitalis can self-seed readily. If you want to control their spread, deadhead spent flowers before they set seed.
- Biennial/Short-Lived Perennial Nature:
- Biennial Cycle: Most Digitalis varieties are biennials, meaning they complete their life cycle in two years. They grow foliage in the first year and flower in the second year, then set seed and decline.
- Self-Seeding for Continued Presence: Reliance on self-seeding is often necessary to maintain Foxgloves in the garden beyond the second year.
- Some Short-Lived Perennial Varieties: Some newer Digitalis varieties are bred to be more reliably perennial, offering blooms for several years. Check plant labels for variety information.
Pests and Diseases:
- Generally, Pest Resistant: Digitalis are generally quite resistant to pests.
- Aphids: Aphids may occasionally appear, especially on new growth. Hose them off with water or use insecticidal soap if needed.
- Slugs and Snails: Slugs and snails can sometimes be a problem, especially on young seedlings or in very damp conditions. Use appropriate slug and snail control methods if needed.
- Fungal Diseases: In humid conditions or with poor air circulation, fungal diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot may occur. Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and remove affected foliage promptly.
Important Note: Toxicity:
- All Parts are Toxic: All parts of the Digitalis plant are poisonous if ingested, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds. Wear gloves when handling Digitalis and wash your hands afterwards.
- Keep Away from Children and Pets: Plant Digitalis in locations where children and pets are less likely to have access. Supervise children and pets around these plants and educate them about their toxicity.
- Use Caution: Be mindful of the toxicity of Digitalis. While beautiful in the garden, it is essential to handle them with care and awareness.
Enjoy the towering beauty and pollinator attraction of your Digitalis Foxgloves, bringing a touch of cottage garden magic to your landscape!
Digitalis (dij-it-tay-liss) Foxglove; Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae). The common foxglove grows wild in English fields and is one of the easiest border plants in American gardens. Nodding showers of bells, usually flecked inside, are produced on tall, graceful racemes and are extremely showy in mass.
Foxglove will grow in average, medium, well-drained soil, however Digitalis will thrive in acidic, moist, humus enriched soil. Keeping this plant watered, not allowing it to dry-out, will result in better flowering and healthier foliage.
Though some species are perennial and will persist for years, most digitalis are treated as biennials. Propagation is recommended by letting the plant self-seed and using the resulting plantlets to establish colonies in the garden that will persist for years as if they were perennials. Seeds may take 2 years to flower.
Excellent as a border, containers, cut flower, mass plantings. Plant along fences, at the wood's edge, or in large containers. Attracts hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant.