Digitalis purpurea

Care Guide

Description:

Foxgloves are biennials with large crinkly green leaves and spikes of drooping, bell-shaped, spotted flowers that blooms in purple, pink, mauve, and white.

Other names:

Foxglove

Other Names

Foxglove

Plant Summary

Size:

70 – 90 cm (h) x 30 – 60 cm (w)

Flowers:

Spring – Summer

Growth Rate:

Moderate Watering

Origin:

Europe, north-west Africa, and Central Asia

Watering Needs

Maintenance

Light Preference

Frost Sensitivity

Light Preference

Digitalis purpurea

care guide

If you’ve prepared the soil before planting, no additional feeding is required until the next season.

If you allow your Foxgloves to self-seed, apply a 5cm layer of compost mixed with well-rotted manure and a 2:3:2 fertiliser in Autumn for the next generation of plants to flourish.

Deadhead spent blooms after flowering to encourage a second flowering, or allow the Foxgloves to self seed for the next season.

Foxgloves are not particular about the soil pH and can be grown between 4.5 and 8.3 pH. The plant does prefer a cool, semi-shaded spot with deep, rich, well-composted soil.

Water foxgloves about once a week, or when the top inch of soil feels dry. Foxgloves like consistently moist soil but not waterlogged. Adjust water based on your local climate and rainfall.

How to ensure your Foxgloves bloom

Right Spot: Plant them where they get early morning sun or late afternoon sun. Being a non-native plant does make it more sensitive to South Africa's hot sun.
Good Soil: Use well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season (spring through summer).
Pruning: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Stalking: Tall varieties may need staking.

Though listed under annuals in the SA Garden guide, Foxgloves are biennial, so they might not bloom in their first year.

Digitalis purpurea

problems

Because Foxgloves are grown in shady spots with moist soil they are susceptible to a host of pests and diseases, including crown rot, leaf spot, and aphids.

To prevent fungal problems, careful watering is recommended by keeping the leaves dry and watering around the roots.

Treat aphids with a pesticide, control with natural or organic sprays like a soap-and-water mixture, neem oil, or essential oils. Or employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.