As the species plant from which countless cultivars originate, Digitalis purpurea is the quintessential foxglove. This biennial or short-lived perennial is celebrated for its towering spires, which can reach up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in height. The plant produces a basal rosette of soft, hairy, oval leaves in its first year. In its second year, it sends up a spectacular flower spike adorned with dozens of pendant, tubular blooms. The classic coloration is a stunning purple-pink with a beautifully speckled throat, a feature that has evolved to guide pollinating bees to the nectar within. It readily self-seeds, ensuring its presence in the garden for years to come, and thrives in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Bred for superior garden performance, the Dalmatian series (e.g., 'Dalmatian Peach', 'Dalmatian White') represents a significant advancement in foxglove cultivation. These plants are prized for their more compact habit, typically growing to a manageable 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall, making them less prone to wind damage and ideal for smaller gardens or containers. A key botanical advantage is that many in this series are "first-year flowering," meaning they can bloom in their first growing season from an early spring sowing, behaving more like annuals than the traditional biennial cycle of the species. They offer a range of pure, clean colors and maintain the characteristic spotted throat, providing a long season of bloom.
A naturally occurring hybrid between Digitalis purpurea and Digitalis grandiflora, Digitalis x mertonensis is a standout perennial variety. Its common name, the Strawberry Foxglove, aptly describes its beautiful bloom color—a soft, coppery pink that resembles the fruit. From a plant's perspective, this hybrid exhibits "hybrid vigor," resulting in a robust, clump-forming perennial that returns reliably each year. The flowers are larger and broader than those of D. purpurea, and while they may have some internal spotting, it is often less pronounced. It prefers dappled shade and fertile soil, flowering in late spring to early summer and providing a more permanent structure in the border.
For gardeners seeking a different color palette and growth habit, the yellow foxgloves are excellent choices. Digitalis grandiflora is a perennial species featuring sturdy, 2-3 foot (60-90 cm) spikes of large, creamy-yellow flowers with distinctive brown nectar guides inside the throat. Its foliage is evergreen in milder climates, offering winter interest. Digitalis lutea is a more delicate perennial, producing slender, willowy spikes of small, pale yellow flowers that are charming in woodland garden settings. Both species are exceptionally hardy and long-lived, preferring partial shade and well-drained soil. Their subtler colors provide a beautiful contrast to the bolder pinks and purples.
Pushing the boundaries of traditional foxglove form and color is the Illumination series ('Illumination Pink', 'Illumination Flame'). These complex hybrids (Digitalis purpurea x Isoplexis canariensis) are sterile triploids, a genetic characteristic that means they cannot produce seeds. For the plant, this is a reproductive dead end, but for the gardener, it is a major benefit. Because the plant's energy is not diverted into seed production, it channels all its resources into flowering, resulting in an exceptionally long blooming period from late spring until frost. The flowers are a vibrant, open-faced trumpet shape in stunning sunset hues of pink, rose, and apricot, held on strong, weather-resistant stems.
