Foxgloves are European woodland plants that come in many forms - some dwarf and others very tall, usually in shades of pink and red. Most varieties are biennial, meaning they flower in their second year, before setting seed and dying.
Foxgloves look fantastic in the middle to back of ornamental borders, where their tall flowering spires lift the eye to the furthest reaches of the garden. They're also much prized by bumblebees and other pollinating insects.
Digitalis obscura is a rare perennial foxglove native to the Spanish mountains, bearing rusty orange, bell-shaped blooms with red veining and spotting. It's more drought tolerant than native foxgloves, and is therefore more suited to growing in sunny, dry borders.
For best results grow Digitalis obscura in well-drained soils with a lot of grit, in full sun. If left to seed, plants will gently naturalise throughout your garden.
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sow
yes
yes
Plant
yes
yes
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
yes
Prune
yes
Collect seeds
yes
yes
Digitalis and wildlife
Digitalis is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
