Digitalis purpurea - Fairie Queen Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea - Foxglove Fairie Queen (apricot)

Pot Size: 4-Inch Square

A biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial from western Europe. In the second year, an upright flower stem with smaller leaves is produced from the center of the basal clump. The spikes normally grow 3 to 4 feet tall with the individual flowers opening progressively up the elongated, terminal cluster (a simple or sparsely branched raceme). The species usually has a one-sided raceme with 20-80 flowers but improved cultivars often have flowers completely surrounding the stem. The downward-facing, tapered, tubular (bell-shaped) flowers have four lobes. Each 1½ to 2½ inch long apricot-colored corolla (the fused petals) has long hairs inside and is heavily spotted with dark purple edged in white on the lower lip, which serves as a landing platform for pollinators.                          

Biennial Herbaceous Perennial

Size: 3-4’ tall and 12-18 inches wide    
Light: Full shade, Partial shade, Full Sun 
Soil: Tolerates a variety of soils (chalky, clay, loamy, and sandy). Likes well-drained soil. 
Water: Prefers to be in moist soil, especially if planted in full sun. 
Bloom: Apricot/Coral blooms in spring, summer and fall  
Uses:  All parts of the foxglove are toxic. It is a toxic and medicinal plant at the same time. Due to the Digitalis-Glycoside that the plant contains, it is used in small doses for heart therapy. It is advisable to not plant foxglove near playgrounds, gardens, parks or where there are many children.