Vingerhoedskruid

Digitalis purpurea

Engels: Common Foxglove

perennialPlantaginaceae🇳🇱 Inheems

Vingerhoedskruid (Digitalis purpurea) is a native to the Netherlands perennial from the Plantaginaceae family that grows up to 150cm tall. This plant thrives in partial shade to shade and requires low maintenance. Blooms in summer with purple, pink, white flowers and attracts bees.

Hoogte

60–150 cm

Breedte

30–50 cm

Zonligging

partial shade, full shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam, sandy soil, peat soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

summer

Bloemkleuren

purple, pink, white

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
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Care tips

Planting

Common foxglove thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens, shady borders, or the north-facing side of walls and fences. It tolerates a range of soil types—loam, sandy soil, or peat soil—but prefers moist, well-drained ground enriched with organic matter. Before planting, dig over the soil to a spade's depth and work in garden compost or leaf mould to improve structure and moisture retention. You can plant foxgloves in April, May, or September. Spring planting gives young plants time to establish before winter, while autumn planting suits mild areas and allows roots to settle during cooler, damper months. Space plants 35 cm apart to allow for their eventual spread of 30–50 cm and to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal issues. Plant at the same depth the foxglove was growing in its pot; the crown should sit level with the soil surface. Planting too deep can lead to rot. Firm the soil gently around the roots and water thoroughly to settle them in. If you're sowing seed directly outdoors, scatter thinly on the surface in late spring or early summer and press lightly into the soil—foxglove seed needs light to germinate. Thin seedlings to 35 cm spacing once they're large enough to handle. After planting, apply a 5 cm layer of organic mulch such as leaf mould or composted bark around the base, keeping it clear of the crown. This conserves moisture and suppresses weeds. Water regularly during dry spells in the first growing season to help roots establish.

Pruning

Foxgloves are short-lived perennials, often behaving as biennials, producing a rosette of leaves in their first year and flowering in their second summer before declining. Pruning in the traditional sense isn't necessary, but managing spent flower spikes in August or September is important for plant health and garden tidiness. Once the tall flower spikes have finished blooming in late summer, cut them down to the basal rosette of leaves using secateurs or a sharp knife. Remove the entire stem close to the ground, but leave the foliage intact—these leaves will continue photosynthesising and feeding the plant. If you want foxgloves to self-seed and naturalise in your garden, leave one or two spikes standing until the seed capsules ripen and split, then cut them down. Foxgloves self-sow freely in suitable conditions, so this approach ensures a succession of plants without extra effort. Throughout the growing season, remove any yellowing, damaged, or diseased leaves from the base to improve air flow and reduce the risk of fungal problems. This is particularly useful in damp, shaded spots where foxgloves are typically grown. Because foxgloves often die after flowering and setting seed, don't expect the same plant to return year after year. Instead, rely on self-sown seedlings or plant new stock every couple of years. Deadheading before seed set can occasionally encourage a smaller second flush of flowers or prolong the life of the plant slightly, but it's not guaranteed and you'll sacrifice the natural succession of seedlings.

Maintenance

Foxgloves have moderate water needs and prefer consistently moist soil, especially during their first year and through dry spells in spring and summer. Water deeply once or twice a week if rainfall is scarce, focusing on the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, which can encourage mildew. In shaded positions with moisture-retentive soil, they often manage with little supplementary watering. Reduce watering in autumn and winter when growth slows. Feeding is not necessary. Foxgloves grow well in average garden soil and excessive fertility can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers. If your soil is very poor, a light mulch of garden compost in spring will provide sufficient nutrients without overfeeding. Mulch annually in early spring with a 5 cm layer of leaf mould, composted bark, or well-rotted compost. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and mimics the woodland floor conditions foxgloves prefer. Keep mulch away from the crown to prevent rot. Foxgloves are hardy to zone 4a, so overwintering in temperate Europe is straightforward. Leave the basal rosettes in place through winter; they're evergreen or semi-evergreen and will resume growth in spring. No protection is needed. Common pests include aphids on young growth and flower spikes; wash them off with water or tolerate low numbers, as they rarely cause serious harm. Powdery mildew can appear on leaves in dry conditions or overcrowded plantings—improve spacing and air flow, and remove affected foliage. Foxglove is toxic to humans and animals, so handle with care and site thoughtfully if children or pets use the garden.