Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Digitalis purpurea or Common Foxglove

The genus Digitalis, family Scrophulariaceae, includes 20 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs native to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Some species are: Digitalis purpurea, Digitalis ambigua, Digitalis lutea, Digitalis minor, Digitalis parviflora, Digitalis obscura, Digitalis ferruginea.

Common names: Common Foxglove, Lady's glove, Purple foxglove. This species is native to Western Europe.

They are herbaceous plants with erect stem grown as biennial and that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. They have two types of leaves: the basal ones are larger, rough and oblong-lanceolate in shape and those that sprout from the stem are smaller. The attractive flared and hanging flowers appear in long clusters and can be of various colors. They bloom in spring and summer.

They are used to form clumps, in borders, to create patches of color in lawns, and as cut flowers.

Digitalis purpurea prefers semi-shade exposure in Mediterranean climates and full sun in cooler climates. They resist occasional frosts.

The soil must be well drained, light and contain abundant organic matter (humus); they do not grow in alkaline soils. The planting is done in autumn.

Water regularly, waiting until the substrate has almost dried before watering again. They do not resist flooding or drought.

Fertilize in the fall with compost or manure and mineral fertilizer every month during the spring and summer.

Prune withered flower stems at ground level.

They can be attacked by fungi if water accumulates in the roots and by chlorosis.

They are propagated from seeds sown in seedbed (transplant the seedlings in autumn) or in their final location.

Images of the plant Digitalis purpurea or Common Foxglove