Digitalis purpurea - Purple Foxglove (10 Seeds)

Digitalis purpurea

Common Name: Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove, Lady's Glove
Synonyms:
Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae

Plant Type: annual/biennial, deciduous, poisonous, medicinal

Growth habit: erect
Growth Rate: medium, mature size: 1.5m. high x 0.6m. wide

 

Colour: leaf- green, flower- purple, stem- green

Season of interest: Summer
Position: full sun, partial shade, shade, coastal
Soil: dry, moist, clay, sandy, pH preference - Neutral, pH tolerance - Any
Hardiness: minimum -25°C, USDA zone 4 to 9
Origin: Europe

Description:
Hardy biennial, flowering in the second season, with the familiar tall spikes of tubular flowers. The natural form has one-sided spikes of light pinkish purple flowers with darker spotting, but there are also hybrids with white, red, pink, or yellow flowers, all with maroon spots in the throat. Basal rosettes of broad, hairy green to greyish green leaves.

Cultivation:
Easy and not fussy to grow, but prefers a well drained, humus rich soil and some shade.

Propagation:
Surface sow in spring, onto moist fertile well-drained soil, needs light to germinate. Self-sows well, and clumps may be divided every few years. Biennial, tolerates even fairly heavy shade and dry soils.

Design and Other Uses:
Perfect for the wildlife and woodland garden. Attractive to insects. Used medicinally in the manufacture of heart stimulating drugs.

Other Notes:
Common wildflower native to Europe and naturalised elsewhere, probably from garden escapes. Mainly found in woodland but also occurs in a wide range of habitats including coastal cliff tops. pronounced: dij-ih-TAH-liss pur-PUR-ee-uh All parts are highly toxic.