Digitalis purpurea

Common name: Foxglove

Description: Digitalis purpurea is one of Britain's most beloved cottage garden plants, producing tall, stately spires of tubular flowers in shades of purple-pink, white, and cream, each spotted within, from late spring to midsummer. Typically biennial or short-lived perennial in habit, it seeds freely and self-perpetuates in borders and woodland edges with great reliability. Its bold, upright presence brings height and drama to informal plantings, and it thrives in partial shade where few other flowering plants perform as well.

Other benefits: excellent vertical accent, self-seeds freely, naturalistic and cottage garden style, good cut flower

Wildlife attraction: long-tongued bumblebees are the primary pollinators, entering the spotted tubes to reach nectar deep within

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.5m x 0.6m

Position: full sun to partial shade; ideal in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and cottage plantings

Soil pH: neutral to slightly acid; adaptable to most reasonably fertile, well-drained soils

Moisture: moderate; prefers moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; tolerates drier conditions once established

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to approximately -20°C throughout the UK