Also known as Foxglove · 1.8k gardener saves
Digitalis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Digitalis, the genus most gardeners know as foxglove. We track 32 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Digitalis varieties
Of 32 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCommon Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Excelsior Group'
#2 most savedArctic Fox Rose Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Arctic Fox Rose'
#3 most savedApricot Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Apricot Beauty'
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Mix'
Camelot Lavender Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Camelot Lavender'
Camelot White Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Camelot White'
Dalmatian Peach Foxglove
Digitalis x mertonensis 'Dalmatian Peach'
Candy Mountain Foxglove
Digitalis x hybrida 'Candy Mountain'
Excelsior Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Excelsior Foxglove Mix'
Yellow Foxglove
Digitalis lutea
Camelot Rose Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Camelot Rose'
Yellow Foxglove
Digitalis grandiflora
Browse all 32 Digitalis varieties →
How to grow Digitalis
What the Digitalis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 32 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Digitalis year
- DeadheadJune and July88% of varieties
Remove the main spent spike to encourage side blooms or prevent self-seeding
- Spring CleanupFebruary78% of varieties
Remove dead or damaged foliage from the basal rosette
- PropagateJuly and August53% of varieties
Allow some spikes to set seed for naturalizing or next year's plants
- PlantMarch, April and September47% of varieties
Plant starts in spring after danger of hard frost has passed
- StakeApril and May47% of varieties
Stake tall flower spikes before they open if in a windy location
- FertilizeMarch31% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer as new growth begins in spring
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t disturb roots during flowering
- Do not allow soil to dry out completely
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Digitalis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Curling leaves and sticky residue | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in leaves | Use organic slug bait or handpick at night |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply copper fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting despite adequate watering | Ensure proper drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply organic fungicide or improve air circulation |
Making more Digitalis
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist during germination, 2–3 weeks.
- Thin seedlings to spacing of 12 inches after emergence.
Cuttings
- Select healthy stem cuttings in late spring.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Maintain humidity and water regularly for 6 weeks.
Digitalis questions
How many types of Digitalis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 32 distinct Digitalis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.8k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Digitalis grow in?
Across its varieties, Digitalis covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Digitalis bloom?
Most Digitalis varieties bloom in late spring to early summer, late spring to summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Digitalis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Digitalis
Digitalis shows up in
Related genera
Design with Digitalis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
