Purple Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Also known as Foxglove, Common Foxglove, Fairy Cap
Climate Match for your location
See how well Purple Foxglove grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A classic cottage garden plant with tall spikes of tubular purple, pink, or white flowers spotted inside. Often grown as a biennial, it self-seeds readily and tolerates part shade well.
Why grow it
Purple foxglove offers strong vertical interest and shade tolerance that distinguish it from many cottage garden alternatives. Its biennial habit and reliable self-seeding make it a low-maintenance choice for naturalizing in partially shaded borders, woodland edges, or dappled understory settings where many flowering perennials struggle. The spotted interior markings and range of flower colors (purple, pink, or white) provide design flexibility while requiring minimal staking or deadheading compared to similarly tall plants.
Watch out for
Foxglove's biennial cycle means seedlings may not flower until their second year, which can create gaps in garden planning. The plants prefer consistently moist soil and may decline or stop self-seeding in very dry summers. Volunteer seedlings can appear unpredictably throughout the garden, potentially crowding nearby plantings if not thinned.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
Native Range
Western Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A classic cottage garden plant with tall spikes of tubular purple, pink, or white flowers spotted inside. Often grown as a biennial, it self-seeds readily and tolerates part shade well.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Purple Foxglove grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Purple foxglove offers strong vertical interest and shade tolerance that distinguish it from many cottage garden alternatives. Its biennial habit and reliable self-seeding make it a low-maintenance choice for naturalizing in partially shaded borders, woodland edges, or dappled understory settings where many flowering perennials struggle. The spotted interior markings and range of flower colors (purple, pink, or white) provide design flexibility while requiring minimal staking or deadheading compared to similarly tall plants.
Watch out for
Foxglove's biennial cycle means seedlings may not flower until their second year, which can create gaps in garden planning. The plants prefer consistently moist soil and may decline or stop self-seeding in very dry summers. Volunteer seedlings can appear unpredictably throughout the garden, potentially crowding nearby plantings if not thinned.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
Native Range
Western Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.