Tall biennial or short-lived perennial with bell-shaped flower spikes loved by bees.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 4–9 | −34.4 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 4–8 | −29 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Foxglove
Foxgloves are the original source of digitalis, a group of compounds that act directly on the heart and remain the basis of medicines still in use. The entire plant is highly toxic, and poisoning cases have occurred where leaves were mistaken for comfrey. The plant is typically biennial, making a rosette in its first year and flowering in its second before dying, which is why colonies appear to move around a garden. Flowers open from the bottom of the spike upwards and are worked by bumblebees, for which the tubular shape is well matched.
Growing notes
- All parts toxic if eaten
- Self-seeds prolifically; common in cool moist climates
Pet caution: Foxglove is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
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Related plants
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