Species common foxglove
white flowers, light-yellow buds with light-green sepals

common foxglove

Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora

Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora) is an amazing flower that blooms in the summer. It has tall, dense spikes of long tubular flowers that come in shades of white, pink, and purple and its foliage is often described as "fairy-like". This flower most commonly grows in the wild, but can be planted in gardens and is attractive to pollinators. Its wonderful fragrance and pollen-rich nectar make it a favorite of bees and other beneficial insects. It is also a symbol of grace and beauty with it's elegant shape and striking blossoms. Common Foxglove is truly a remarkable flower to behold!

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Strawberry pink, white, or purple Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Humus rich, Well-drained

Fruits:

brown Fruits In Summer Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Common foxglove should be watered often enough to keep the soil consistently moist, but not so much that it becomes soggy and waterlogged. During the warmer months, water the plant thoroughly once weekly. During cooler months, you may need to water less or more frequently depending on the weather. Make sure to check for soil dryness first before watering.

sunlight

Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora) thrives best in full sun, meaning 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. This plant species is also tolerant of partial shade, meaning it can survive on only 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day. For best growth and flowering results, place the common foxglove in a location that receives full sun in the hottest part of the day, typically in the afternoon, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. To ensure consistent sunlight for the common foxglove, it should be planted in an area that isn’t exposed to excessive shading from nearby trees or buildings.

pruning

When to Prune: Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora) should be pruned back in the spring once new growth begins to emerge. How Much to Prune: When pruning a common foxglove, it is best to cut back by 1-third to 1-half of its total height, depending on the desired size. All leaves, stems, and flower buds should be removed above the cut. Doing this will help keep the habit neat and shapely. Pruning will also encourage bushier growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Common foxglove typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Common foxglove typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora typically begins in June and continues through August.

Hardiness Map