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How to Care Foxgloves
How to Care Foxgloves, Growing Foxgloves, Caring for Foxgloves
Also known as : fairy finger, fairy thimbles, ladies thimble, rabbits flower, flapdock, scotch mercury
Foxgloves is a distinctive genus known for its tall spikes of tubular flowers. It thrives in partial shade to full sun, with well-draining, moist soil, and moderate water needs. Temperature preferences vary, but most species are cool-weather tolerant. Pests such as aphids and diseases like powdery mildew can challenge gardeners. Seasonally, foxgloves requires protection from extreme cold in winter and may need support as it grows taller in the growing season. Consistent moisture and avoiding waterlogged conditions are crucial, especially during hot summers and dry spells.
Watering Frequency
Every week
Sunlight
Full sun
Basic Care Guide
Feedback
How to Water Foxgloves?
Watering Frequency: Every week
Originating from temperate woodland edges, foxgloves thrives in consistently moist soil conditions akin to its native environment. This species is characterized by a preference for moderate humidity and exhibits a balanced approach to water absorption. For optimal growth, it requires watering every week. As an outdoor plant that flourishes in cooler climates, foxgloves benefits significantly from the presence of morning dew which aids in maintaining adequate moisture levels for its foliage.
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Foxgloves?
Ideal Lighting: Full sun
Thriving in partial shade, foxgloves appreciates bright, indirect light which mimics its natural under-canopy habitat. Direct, strong sunlight should be avoided as it may scorch leaves, while deep shade can diminish flowering. For optimal health and bloom, place foxgloves where it receives morning or dappled light. No specific nuances for light requirements. Ensure the plant has periods of darkness to mimic natural light cycles for best growth.
Advanced Care Guide
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How to Propagate Foxgloves?
Propagate foxgloves primarily through seed sowing, with division also possible for some species. Key factors include well-draining soil, consistent moisture, and partial sun exposure. Special considerations involve stratification for better germination rates and protecting seedlings from intense sun. The difficulty is moderate, as seeds need careful handling. Sow seeds on the soil surface; do not cover, as light aids germination. Keep moist and at 60-70°F. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to individual pots. Division should occur in early spring, gently separating and replanting the divisions.
How to Plant Foxgloves?
Foxgloves plants prefer humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH. They flourish in full sun to partial shade. Planting should be done in spring or autumn. Start by loosening the soil in the designated area and dig a hole twice as wide as the plant's root system. Position foxgloves plants about 1 to 2 feet apart. Water generously after planting. While these guidelines largely apply to the foxgloves genus, remember individual species may have specific needs.
Key Facts About Foxgloves
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Attributes of Foxgloves
Sunlight
Full sun
Tolerance Lighting
Partial sun
Ideal Temperature
20 - 35 ℃
Plant Type
Herb
Scientific Classification of Foxgloves
More Info About Foxgloves
Types of Foxgloves
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Common foxglove 'Dalmatian Peach'
With an early blooming and fast-growing habit, the common foxglove 'Dalmatian Peach' is a foxglove cultivar that has tubular blooms of soft peach, with speckles reminiscent of Dalmatian spots along its throat. The common foxglove 'Dalmatian Peach' has won praise for its growth habit, blooms, and visual appearance.
Common foxglove 'Camelot White'
Most foxgloves have violet flowers, but this hybrid has beautiful white blooms. This hybrid is shorter than its parent plant, growing to a maximum height of 1.2 m rather than 2 m. This striking plant received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society and is a popular bedding and border plant.
Common foxglove 'Candy Mountain'
Common foxglove 'Candy Mountain' is a striking perennial with tall spikes of tubular, rosy-purple flowers that face upward, a unique trait among its genus. The blossoms, which attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, bloom in early to mid-summer. Its foliage is a soft green, with large, lance-shaped leaves that form a basal rosette, providing a lush underpinning to the dramatic floral display. Thriving in cool, moist soil and partial shade, common foxglove 'Candy Mountain' brings vertical interest and vibrant color to woodland garden settings.
Digitalis × valinii 'Firebird'
Although a short-lived perennial, digitalis × valinii 'Firebird' is still a notable addition to cottage and informal gardens and in patio and container gardens for the beautiful rosettes that bloom on long stems. In 2019, this firebird cultivar took the second-place award in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show's "Plant of the Year" competition.
Straw foxglove
Straw foxglove sports intricate ivory, bell-shaped blooms on tall spikes. This delicate coloring makes it a popular choice for garden displays. However, it can self-sow and tends to become weedy. Straw foxglove is a toxic plant that causes harm when consumed.
Common foxglove 'Camelot Rose'
Common foxglove 'Camelot Rose' is a stunning Common foxglove cultivar that produces tall spikes of tubular, outward-facing pink flowers with white speckled throats and maroon markings. The cultivar is renowned among gardeners as a reliable selection that's able to produce masses of blooms during the first year.
Rusty foxglove
It’s almost impossible to miss rusty foxglove growing in the garden. The tall-growing plant is a popular addition to cottage and butterfly gardens. The tall, closely clumped, bright-colored flowers add garden interest in the spring and summer. The flower spikes are also used in bouquets and floral arrangements.
Small yellow foxglove
Small yellow foxglove is adorned with slender spires of small, tubular chocolate-brown flowers, each accentuated with a delicate, creamy-white lip. These intriguing blossoms form tall, elegant stalks that arise from rosettes of lush, green foliage in the summer. Thriving in a variety of conditions, from sun to partial shade, small yellow foxglove adds an air of woodland charm to any garden, enticing bees and other pollinators.
More Similar Plants
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Adenosma
Wulfenia
Paederota
Sibthorpia
Asarina
Asarina is a flowering plant genus of only one species, which is native to southern Europe.
Erinus
Erinus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae, native to stony mountainous sites in North Africa and southern Europe.
Foxgloves
Foxgloves (Digitalis) get their name from the shape of their flowers - they resemble the paws of foxes and other small animals and were first named way back in 1542. In folklore, picking the flower is seen as offensive to nymphs and fairies of the forest, though this was mainly just a way to keep children from plucking the toxic plants.
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About
Basic Care Guide
Advanced Care
Key Facts
Types
Similar Plants
Foxgloves
Digitalis
Also known as: fairy finger, fairy thimbles, ladies thimble, rabbits flower, flapdock, scotch mercury
Foxgloves is a distinctive genus known for its tall spikes of tubular flowers. It thrives in partial shade to full sun, with well-draining, moist soil, and moderate water needs. Temperature preferences vary, but most species are cool-weather tolerant. Pests such as aphids and diseases like powdery mildew can challenge gardeners. Seasonally, foxgloves requires protection from extreme cold in winter and may need support as it grows taller in the growing season. Consistent moisture and avoiding waterlogged conditions are crucial, especially during hot summers and dry spells.
Watering Frequency
Every week
Sunlight
Full sun
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Basic Care Guide
Feedback
How to Water Foxgloves?
Watering Frequency: Every week
Originating from temperate woodland edges, foxgloves thrives in consistently moist soil conditions akin to its native environment. This species is characterized by a preference for moderate humidity and exhibits a balanced approach to water absorption. For optimal growth, it requires watering every week. As an outdoor plant that flourishes in cooler climates, foxgloves benefits significantly from the presence of morning dew which aids in maintaining adequate moisture levels for its foliage.
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Foxgloves?
Ideal Lighting: Full sun
Thriving in partial shade, foxgloves appreciates bright, indirect light which mimics its natural under-canopy habitat. Direct, strong sunlight should be avoided as it may scorch leaves, while deep shade can diminish flowering. For optimal health and bloom, place foxgloves where it receives morning or dappled light. No specific nuances for light requirements. Ensure the plant has periods of darkness to mimic natural light cycles for best growth.
Advanced Care Guide
Feedback
How to Propagate Foxgloves?
Propagate foxgloves primarily through seed sowing, with division also possible for some species. Key factors include well-draining soil, consistent moisture, and partial sun exposure. Special considerations involve stratification for better germination rates and protecting seedlings from intense sun. The difficulty is moderate, as seeds need careful handling. Sow seeds on the soil surface; do not cover, as light aids germination. Keep moist and at 60-70°F. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to individual pots. Division should occur in early spring, gently separating and replanting the divisions.
How to Plant Foxgloves?
Foxgloves plants prefer humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH. They flourish in full sun to partial shade. Planting should be done in spring or autumn. Start by loosening the soil in the designated area and dig a hole twice as wide as the plant's root system. Position foxgloves plants about 1 to 2 feet apart. Water generously after planting. While these guidelines largely apply to the foxgloves genus, remember individual species may have specific needs.
How to Grow and Care for Gardenia
Feedback
Attributes of Foxgloves
Sunlight
Full sun
Tolerance Lighting
Partial sun
Ideal Temperature
20 - 35 ℃
Plant Type
Herb
Scientific Classification of Foxgloves
Types of Foxgloves
Feedback
Common foxglove 'Dalmatian Peach'
With an early blooming and fast-growing habit, the common foxglove 'Dalmatian Peach' is a foxglove cultivar that has tubular blooms of soft peach, with speckles reminiscent of Dalmatian spots along its throat. The common foxglove 'Dalmatian Peach' has won praise for its growth habit, blooms, and visual appearance.
Common foxglove 'Camelot White'
Most foxgloves have violet flowers, but this hybrid has beautiful white blooms. This hybrid is shorter than its parent plant, growing to a maximum height of 1.2 m rather than 2 m. This striking plant received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society and is a popular bedding and border plant.
Common foxglove 'Candy Mountain'
Common foxglove 'Candy Mountain' is a striking perennial with tall spikes of tubular, rosy-purple flowers that face upward, a unique trait among its genus. The blossoms, which attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, bloom in early to mid-summer. Its foliage is a soft green, with large, lance-shaped leaves that form a basal rosette, providing a lush underpinning to the dramatic floral display. Thriving in cool, moist soil and partial shade, common foxglove 'Candy Mountain' brings vertical interest and vibrant color to woodland garden settings.
Digitalis × valinii 'Firebird'
Although a short-lived perennial, digitalis × valinii 'Firebird' is still a notable addition to cottage and informal gardens and in patio and container gardens for the beautiful rosettes that bloom on long stems. In 2019, this firebird cultivar took the second-place award in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show's "Plant of the Year" competition.
Show More Plants
More Similar Plants
Feedback
Adenosma
Wulfenia
Paederota
Sibthorpia
Asarina
Asarina is a flowering plant genus of only one species, which is native to southern Europe.
Erinus
Erinus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae, native to stony mountainous sites in North Africa and southern Europe.
Foxgloves
Foxgloves (Digitalis) get their name from the shape of their flowers - they resemble the paws of foxes and other small animals and were first named way back in 1542. In folklore, picking the flower is seen as offensive to nymphs and fairies of the forest, though this was mainly just a way to keep children from plucking the toxic plants.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
