Digitalis (Foxglove) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae, comprising about 20 species. It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northwestern Africa. Digitalis is commonly known as Foxglove, and refers to the ease with which a flower of Digitalis purpurea can be fitted over a human fingertip.
Digitalis is useful in a mixed border, especially in cottage gardens. It do best in partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun. The tubular flowers are borne on a tall spike, and vary in color with species, from purple to pink, white and yellow. The seedheads of Digitalis is a food source for birds in winter.
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove or Lady's Glove), 1-1.8 m x 60 cm, is a herbaceous biennial plant native to most of Europe. This plant produces soft, grey-green leaves with a finely toothed margin, which form a rosette at the base. The leaves are spirally arranged, simple, 10-35 cm long and 5-12 cm broad. In early summer, bell-shaped flowers in pink, red or purple, spotted with darker purple are borne on one side of erect stems. The fruit is a capsule which splits open upon maturity, releasing numerous tiny seeds. The leaves, flowers and seeds of this plant contains cardiac glycoside digitoxin which is poisonous to humans and some animals and can be fatal if eaten.
Digitalis ferruginea (Rusty Foxglove), 1-1.2 m tall, is a short-lived, rosette-forming plant. It bears beautiful purple, bell-shaped flowers, marked with darker stripes inside, on erect stems.
Digitalis grows well in partial shade, in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed in late summer. Diseases are leaf spot and mildew.
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