Foxglove Excelsior Group Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group (Suttons; Unwins)
ABOUT
Excelsior Group are tall biennials, with bell-shaped white, pink, cream or purple flowers arranged all round the spike in early summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove, Lady's Glove
Common names
Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The flower's shape and color are particularly attractive to bees, helping to support local pollinator populations.
- Ornamental Value: With its tall spires of vividly colored flowers, Digitalis purpurea is a visually striking addition to any garden design.
- Cottage Garden Feel: It's often used in cottage-style gardens to add height and a sense of lush, informal abundance.
- Vertical Accent: The plant's tall stature can create vertical lines in a garden, breaking up the horizontal planes of shorter plants.
- Easy to Grow: The Digitalis purpurea is known for being non-fussy and can be grown easily from seed with minimal maintenance.
- Shade Tolerant: It can thrive in partially shaded conditions where other flowers might struggle.
- Biennial Lifecycle: As a biennial, it provides two years of interest, with foliage the first year and flowers the second.
- Self-Seeding: It often self-seeds, which can ensure a continuous presence in the garden without replanting.
- Wildlife habitat: The foliage can provide shelter for beneficial insects and other small garden fauna.
- Cut Flowers: Blooms from the Digitalis purpurea make excellent cut flowers for arrangements inside the home.
- Seasonal Interest: It blooms in late spring to early summer, a time when many other plants are just starting to grow.
- Varied Color Palette: The Excelsior Group displays a range of colors from white to pink to purple, which can be mixed and matched in the garden.
Medical Properties- Cardiac glycosides: Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as Foxglove, contains cardiac glycosides that can be used for treating heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
- Positive inotropic effect: The active compounds chiefly digoxin and digitoxin can increase the force of heart muscle contractions, which can be beneficial in certain heart diseases.
- Neurohormonal modulation: Foxglove might influence the neurohormonal systems that are involved in heart function and cardiovascular regulation.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye Production: The leaves of Foxglove can be used to create a yellow-brown dye for fabrics.
- Garden Design: With its tall, striking spikes of flowers, Foxglove is perfect for adding vertical interest to cottage gardens and woodland plantings.
- Indicator Plant: Foxglove can suggest certain soil conditions, as it flourishes in acidic soil, and its presence may indicate the soil pH level.
- Educational Use: Because of its unique flower shape and pollination mechanism, Foxglove can serve as a subject of study in botany and ecology education.
- Habitat Support: Foxgloves provide nectar for bumblebees, making them an important part of supporting local bee populations.
- Photography and Art: Due to their aesthetic appeal, Foxgloves are often used as subjects in botanical photography and artwork.
- Folklore and Mythology: Foxglove has a rich folklore history and can be used in storytelling or as inspiration for fantasy garden designs.
- Crafts and Decor: Dried Foxglove flowers can be used in floral arrangements or crafts, such as creating natural wreaths or potpourri.
- Motion Deterrent: The height and density of Foxglove plantings can be utilized to ward off small animals or reduce the force of wind in certain areas of the garden.
- Seasonal Interest: With their summer blooming period, Foxgloves can be used to ensure color and interest in the garden during that time.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Foxglove is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Foxglove is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: The common name for Digitalis purpurea is Foxglove. Foxglove is associated with healing due to its medicinal properties, particularly for heart conditions, as it contains digitoxin and digoxin which are used in heart medications.
- Protection: Foxglove was traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits and protect against negative energies when planted in gardens or around homes.
- Insincerity: In the language of flowers, Foxglove sometimes represents insincerity or a false sense of security, possibly because the plant is poisonous and can be deceptive with its beautiful flowers.
- Intuition: Its association with the fairy realms in folklore suggests a link with intuition, magic, and the ability to see beyond the physical world.
WaterFoxglove requires consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about one to two gallons of water per watering session, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During hot, dry periods, increase watering to twice a week. In contrast, reduce the amount of water during the winter months when the plant is dormant. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering to avoid overwatering.
LightFoxglove thrives in partial shade to full sun. The best spot for planting Foxglove is where the plant will receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. It can tolerate full sun in cooler regions, but it's essential to protect it from the intense midday sun in warmer areas.
TemperatureFoxglove prefers a temperate climate with temperatures ranging between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can survive brief periods of colder weather, frost can damage the plant, and it typically does not do well in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, maintain a consistent temperature within the preferred range for optimal growth.
PruningPruning Foxglove is done to remove spent flower spikes and encourage a second bloom. It should be pruned in late summer after the first bloom has finished. Additionally, deadheading the flowers as they fade can promote further blooming. Pruning also helps in preventing reseeding if you wish to control the spread of the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFoxglove (Digitalis purpurea) thrives in a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter. A blend consisting of equal parts garden soil, compost, and leaf mold or peat is ideal. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.0, to facilitate optimal growth.
RepottingFoxglove, being a biennial or short-lived perennial, does not typically require frequent repotting. It is often treated as an annual or biennial, so repotting may only be necessary if grown as a perennial, in which case it should be done every 2-3 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container.
Humidity & MistingFoxglove prefers moderate humidity levels, making it well-suited to the average outdoor humidity conditions. Indoor air should not be excessively dry; maintaining a general household humidity level is normally sufficient for healthy growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a bright area avoiding direct strong sunlight.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade; ensure soil is moist, well-drained.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleDigitalis purpurea, commonly known as Foxglove, begins its life as a seed, germinating in moist, well-drained soil in cool temperatures. After germination, it develops into a rosette of leaves at the ground level in its first year, focusing on vegetative growth and establishing a strong root system. In its second year, the plant sends up a tall spike, known as an inflorescence, which bears tubular flowers that range in color from purple to white, often with speckles inside. These flowers are a rich source of nectar for pollinators, particularly bees. After pollination, the flowers produce small capsules containing numerous tiny seeds. Once the seeds are dispersed, the plant completes its life cycle and usually dies, being biennial, although sometimes it can persist as a short-lived perennial through self-sowing.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-early summer
The most popular method of propagating Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as Foxglove, is through sowing seeds. The best time to sow Foxglove seeds is late spring to early summer directly into the ground where they are to flower. Start by selecting a well-drained location with partial shade to full sun. Scatter the tiny seeds on the soil surface and lightly press them into the earth since Foxglove seeds need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Germination may take 2-3 weeks, and it's important not to cover the seeds with soil as this can prevent them from sprouting. Once seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves and are large enough to handle, they can be thinned out to about 18 inches (approximately 45 centimeters) apart to allow for their mature size.
