Digitalis

Botanical/Latin
   Digitalis

Pronunciation
   Dij-it-tal-is

Common Name
   Foxglove

Hardiness zone range
   4 - 9

General Comments
Impressive perennials and biennials with imposing, tall spikes of drooping, tubular flowers that open from the bottom upwards to form slender spires above basal rosettes of broad, fuzzy-textured leaves. Flowering begins in late spring and early summer with some re-blooming in summer and early fall.

Uses
They are perfect for naturalizing in woodland gardens or wild flower meadows, where the impressive clumps give vertical emphasis to clearings, sloping banks, and featured spots. The massed effect of groups with their tall flowering spires standing aloft above surrounding foliage is most impressive.

They add height and vertical accent to beds and borders, too. Depending upon the size and scale, they can be used either as individuals or in bold groups of three, five, or seven. The upright, slender spikes are most effective when used towards the middle or back of a border, or set among ground cover to be displayed rising above the surrounding partners.

Deer will not eat the foliage, so they are useful in areas where deer browsing is a problem. On the other hand, hummingbirds and bees like to visit the open flowers.

They make good cut flowers, adding height and background emphasis to larger arrangements. The best time and stage to harvest them is early in the morning when the first flowers are beginning to open. They last longer if they are conditioned by standing in water for a few hours in a cool place before arranging.

Light Preference
Partial shade. They will grow in sunny conditions, providing they have fertile soil and ample moisture in dry weather.

Culture
They grow best in loam based soils that have a low pH (on the acidic side of neutral), are well drained, and rich in organic matter. This helps to retain moisture in dry weather and can be enhanced by adding compost or other humus media, and then mulching after planting.

A light dressing with a well balanced fertilizer, applied in early spring, also helps to keep them healthy and vigorous.

After flowering, cut the stems back to just above the main rosette of leaves; this encourages another flush of smaller flower spikes and fresh basal growth that helps to keep them juvenile and longer lived. Established clumps can be divided in early spring or fall.

Background
Both the common and botanical names come from the shape of the flowers. Digitalis means finger-like (Digit). Foxglove was originally "Folksglove", resembling the finger of a glove (the glove of the "wee folk" ). A country tale tells of Renard the fox, who was told by the fairies to wear the soft flowers on his paws to cushion the noise when visiting the chicken coop.

The association with fairies and country tales comes from the common foxglove Digitalis Purpurea. It is a biennial (two year) species that flourishes with great abundance on woodland sites in Great Britain and Ireland. The spectacular displays of tall (chest-high) purple spires, springing up magically in forest clearings, have caught the imagination of story tellers for centuries. It has been used since ancient times for various medicinal treatments; care must be taken in preparation, as all parts of the plants are poisonous. Digitalin, a chemical used for heart ailments, is extracted from it. Both the common and botanical names come from the shape of the flowers. Digitalis means finger-like (Digit). Foxglove was originally "Folksglove", resembling the finger of a glove (the glove of the "wee folk" ). A country tale tells of Renard the fox, who was told by the fairies to wear the soft flowers on his paws to cushion the noise when visiting the chicken coop.

The association with fairies and country tales comes from the common foxglove Digitalis Purpurea. It is a biennial (two year) species that flourishes with great abundance on woodland sites in Great Britain and Ireland. The spectacular displays of tall (chest-high) purple spires, springing up magically in forest clearings, have caught the imagination of story tellers for centuries. It has been used since ancient times for various medicinal treatments; care must be taken in preparation, as all parts of the plants are poisonous. Digitalin, a chemical used for heart ailments, is extracted from it. Highly ornamental strains have been developed that have a range of other colors and, while they are short lived, they make impressive displays. Another European species, Digitalis grandiflora and its hybrid, D. x mertonensis, are longer lived perennials and are very fine garden plants.

Splendor Suggestions
With the biennial and shorter lived perennial types, leave a stem or two to reseed; the resultant seedlings can be thinned or replanted to flower the following spring.

Companion Plants
They look fabulous shooting up from behind the big leaves of Hostas or the fern-like leaves and dainty flowers of Dicentra `Luxuriant', `Snowdrift', and `Aurora'. The taller Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectablis, and its white form `Alba' make good partners. Astilbes, Campanulas, and the Aquilegias are also worthy of consideration.