Foxglove flowers (Digitalis purpurea) are beloved for their striking, tubular blooms and elegant, towering spires, making them a staple in cottage gardens and woodland settings. Native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwestern Africa, these biennial or short-lived perennial plants are known for their vibrant colors. The flowers are tubular in shape, produced on a tall spike, and vary in colour with species, from purple to pink, white, and yellow. The name derives from the Latin word for “finger”.
Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species. The genus was traditionally placed in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, but phylogenetic research led taxonomists to move it to the Veronicaceae in 2001. Foxglove has medicinal uses but is also very toxic to humans and other mammals, such that consumption can cause serious illness or death.
Foxglove Flowers (Digitalis purpurea)
Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
The Common Foxglove is the archetype of the species, characterized by its tall, erect spikes reaching 3–6 feet in height. Its tubular flowers, typically 1–2 inches long, hang in dense clusters along one side of the stem, displaying vibrant purple or pink hues, though white forms exist. The interior of the bells is adorned with distinctive white or purple spotting, creating a speckled throat that guides pollinators like bees.
The flowers taper to a slightly curved lip, giving them a delicate, drooping appearance. Its leaves are large, ovate, and soft, forming a basal rosette in the first year, with a slightly fuzzy texture and a rich green color. The sturdy, slightly hairy stems add to its robust look, making it a dramatic focal point in gardens.
Alba
The Alba foxglove is a pristine white variant of Digitalis purpurea, known for its ethereal, creamy blooms that stand out against darker foliage. Its flowers, about 1.5 inches long, are bell-shaped and hang gracefully in racemes on stems reaching 4–5 feet.
Unlike the common foxglove, Alba’s blooms lack the intense purple or pink tones, but they often feature subtle, pale spotting in the throat, adding depth to their otherwise pure appearance. The foliage is similar to the species, with large, ovate leaves forming a basal rosette, though they tend to be a slightly lighter green. The clean, luminous flowers give Alba a refined, almost ghostly presence in shaded or woodland gardens.
Camelot Series
The Camelot Series includes hybrids like Camelot Rose and Camelot Cream, known for their uniform growth and prolific blooming. These foxgloves reach 3–4 feet tall, with densely packed flower spikes. The flowers, about 1–1.5 inches long, come in shades of rose-pink, cream, or lavender, with heavily spotted throats in contrasting white or purple.
Their tubular shape is slightly more open than the common foxglove, giving them a fuller, more inviting look. The leaves are broad, slightly wrinkled, and deep green, forming a compact rosette. The Camelot Series is notable for its ability to flower in the first year, unlike many biennial foxgloves, and its sturdy stems resist toppling in windy conditions.
Foxy
The Foxy foxglove is a compact cultivar, growing to just 2–3 feet tall, making it ideal for smaller gardens or containers. Its flowers are smaller, about 1 inch long, but densely packed along the spike, appearing in shades of pink, purple, cream, or white. The blooms have a classic tubular shape with pronounced spotting in the throat, often in white with purple flecks.
The petals are slightly flared at the mouth, giving a softer, more open appearance. Foxy’s foliage mirrored the species, with ovate, fuzzy leaves in a basal rosette, but the plant’s overall stature is more petite, and its stems are slender yet strong, supporting the vibrant flower display.
Dalmatian Series
The Dalmatian Series, including Dalmatian Purple and Dalmatian Peach, is prized for its vibrant colors and compact growth, reaching 2–3 feet tall. The flowers are large for the plant’s size, about 1.5 inches long, and come in rich purple, soft peach, or white, with heavily spotted throats that resemble the pattern of a Dalmatian dog.
The blooms are tightly packed along the spike, creating a bold, columnar effect. The foliage is lush and slightly glossy, with ovate leaves forming a tidy rosette. The Dalmatian Series is known for its early blooming and uniform growth, with sturdy stems that hold up well in various weather conditions.
Pam’s Choice
Pam’s Choice is a striking cultivar with tall spikes reaching 4–5 feet, distinguished by its creamy white flowers heavily marked with deep maroon or burgundy spotting in the throat. The tubular blooms, about 1.5–2 inches long, have a slightly flared lip, giving them a dramatic, open appearance.
The contrast between the pale petals and dark spotting creates a bold, eye-catching effect. The leaves are large, ovate, and slightly hairy, forming a robust basal rosette with a rich green hue. Pam’s Choice is a favorite for its elegant yet striking appearance, adding vertical drama to garden borders.
Excelsior Hybrids
Excelsior Hybrids are unique for their flowers, which bloom all around the stem rather than on one side, creating a fuller, more cylindrical spike. Growing to 4–5 feet, these foxgloves produce 1.5-inch tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, or white, with prominent spotting in the throat.
The blooms are slightly larger and more evenly spaced than those of the common foxglove, giving the plant a lush, balanced look. The foliage is typical of the species, with large, soft, ovate leaves in a basal rosette. The Excelsior Hybrids’ all-around blooming habit makes them particularly showy in mixed borders.
Candy Mountain
Candy Mountain is a standout for its upward-facing flowers, a rare trait among foxgloves. Growing to 3–4 feet, its tubular blooms, about 1.5 inches long, are a vibrant rose-pink with speckled throats in white or purple. The flowers angle slightly upward along the stem, making the spotting more visible and adding a unique architectural quality.
The foliage is dense, with broad, slightly wrinkled leaves forming a sturdy rosette. The stems are robust, supporting the weight of the unusually oriented flowers, which give Candy Mountain a modern, distinctive look in garden settings.
Apricot
The Apricot foxglove is named for its soft, peachy-apricot blooms, a departure from the typical purple or pink hues. Reaching 3–4 feet tall, its 1–1.5-inch tubular flowers are delicately colored, with subtle spotting in the throat that adds depth without overpowering the pastel tone. The blooms are slightly smaller and more slender than those of the common foxglove, giving the plant a lighter, airier feel.
The foliage is a lush green, with ovate, slightly fuzzy leaves forming a basal rosette. Apricot’s warm, understated color makes it a favorite for softening garden palettes.
Giant Shirley
Giant Shirley foxgloves are known for their impressive height, often reaching 5–7 feet, and their large, densely packed flower spikes. The tubular blooms, about 2 inches long, come in shades of pink, purple, or white, with intricate spotting in the throat. The flowers are slightly more elongated than those of the common foxglove, with a pronounced droop that enhances their elegance.
The foliage is robust, with large, ovate leaves that are softly hairy and form a substantial rosette. Giant Shirley’s towering stature and abundant blooms make it a dramatic choice for back-of-border planting.
Snow Thimble
Snow Thimble is a pure white cultivar, growing to 3–4 feet, with pristine, bell-shaped flowers that lack the heavy spotting typical of other foxgloves. The blooms, about 1.5 inches long, are smooth and unblemished, giving the plant a clean, luminous quality. The flowers are tightly clustered along the spike, creating a sleek, columnar appearance.
The foliage is similar to the species, with ovate, slightly fuzzy leaves in a basal rosette, though they may appear slightly lighter in color. Snow Thimble’s minimalist beauty makes it ideal for moonlit or shaded gardens.
Sutton’s Apricot
Sutton’s Apricot is similar to the Apricot cultivar but features a slightly deeper, more vibrant apricot-pink hue. Growing to 3–4 feet, its 1–1.5-inch tubular flowers are softly colored with faint spotting in the throat, creating a warm, glowing effect.
The blooms are slender and slightly flared, adding a delicate touch to the spike. The foliage is lush and green, with ovate leaves forming a compact rosette. Sutton’s Apricot is prized for its rich, peachy tones and graceful form, perfect for adding warmth to mixed borders.
Primrose Carousel
Primrose Carousel is a dwarf cultivar, reaching just 2–3 feet, with unique primrose-yellow flowers that bloom all around the stem. The 1-inch tubular blooms are smaller but densely packed, with subtle spotting in the throat that enhances their soft, buttery hue.
The flowers’ circular arrangement creates a carousel-like effect, making the plant appear fuller and more rounded. The foliage is compact, with small, ovate leaves forming a tidy rosette. Primrose Carousel’s petite size and unusual color make it a charming choice for containers or small gardens.
Milk Chocolate
Milk Chocolate foxglove is named for its rich, cocoa-brown to reddish-brown flowers, a rare color among foxgloves. Growing to 3–4 feet, its 1.5-inch tubular blooms are slightly smaller but densely clustered, with faint spotting in the throat that contrasts with the warm, earthy tone.
The flowers have a velvety texture, adding to their unique appeal. The foliage is deep green, with broad, slightly hairy leaves forming a robust rosette. Milk Chocolate’s unusual coloration makes it a striking focal point in shaded or woodland settings.
Polkadot Series
The Polkadot Series, including Polkadot Pippa and Polkadot Polly, features sterile hybrids that bloom longer than typical foxgloves, often into late summer. Growing to 3–4 feet, the 1.5-inch tubular flowers come in shades of pink, peach, or cream, with bold, polka-dot-like spotting in the throat.
The blooms are slightly more open than those of the common foxglove, giving them a welcoming appearance. The foliage is lush and green, with ovate leaves forming a compact rosette. The Polkadot Series is valued for its extended bloom time and vibrant, spotted flowers.
Silver Fox
Silver Fox is a distinctive cultivar with silvery-gray foliage, a departure from the typical green of most foxgloves. Growing to 3–4 feet, its 1.5-inch tubular flowers are soft pink or white, with subtle spotting in the throat. The blooms are densely packed along the spike, contrasting beautifully with the silvery leaves.
The foliage is ovate, slightly fuzzy, and has a metallic sheen, adding a unique texture to the garden. Silver Fox’s combination of silvery foliage and delicate flowers makes it a standout in mixed borders or as a focal point.
Strawberry Foxglove
Strawberry Foxglove, often a variant of Digitalis hybrids, features rich, strawberry-pink blooms that add warmth to the garden. Reaching 3–4 feet, its 1.5-inch tubular flowers are vibrant and slightly flared, with subtle spotting in the throat.
The blooms are densely clustered, creating a bold, colorful spike. The foliage is deep green, with broad, ovate leaves forming a sturdy rosette. Strawberry Foxglove’s vivid pink hue and robust form make it a favorite for adding a pop of color to shaded areas.
Illumination Series
The Illumination Series, including varieties like Illumination Pink, is a hybrid group (Digitalis x Isoplexis) known for its vibrant, tropical colors. Growing to 3–4 feet, the 1.5-inch tubular flowers are a striking pink, apricot, or yellow, with minimal spotting and a slightly more open shape than traditional foxgloves.
The blooms are densely packed and bloom for an extended period. The foliage is glossy, with lance-shaped leaves that are darker and less fuzzy than the species, giving the plant a sleek, modern look. The Illumination Series’ bold colors and long bloom time make it a standout in contemporary gardens.