Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group (Common Foxglove)

Providing architectural height to borders, Digitalis purpurea 'Excelsior Hybrid' is a popular and remarkable strain of Foxgloves boasting tall spikes of pendulous, funnel-shaped blossoms in a lovely range of pastel colors including pink, lavender, and white. Arranged all around the spike, the blooms of this eye-catching biennial or short-lived perennial display throats copiously spotted with maroon or purple. Blooming profusely from late spring to mid-summer, they are attractive to hummingbirds, which hover near the tubular blossoms, and to birds that flock to the seedheads in the fall. The plant forms a low rosette of coarse, hairy leaves in the first year, bursting into flower the second spring, then setting seed and usually dying. Offering a long-lasting floral display, this eye-catching plant naturalizes well, as it self-sows freely, and creates lovely colonies in the landscape.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows vigorously up to 4-6 ft. high (120-180 cm) and spreads 18-24 in. (45-60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers humus-rich soil in partial shade, but will grow in full sun. Deer, rabbit resistant.
• Easy to grow, Foxglove is a welcomed addition to beds, borders, woodlands, or naturalized areas. Perfect foil in front of shrubs or dark backgrounds. For best visual impact, plant Floxgloves in groups of 3 to 4 plants.
• Propagate by seed sown in situ in late spring. Alternatively, sow in seed trays in late spring and plant out to the final position in late summer
• Self-seeds freely under optimum growing conditions. Deadhead after flowering to avoid problems with excess numbers of seedlings.
• Highly toxic by ingestion. Wear gloves and wash your hands after handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
• Digitalis purpurea is native to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe.
• Find where Digitalis purpurea species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.