Digitalis purpurea 'Excelsior Group'
(Foxglove Excelsior Group)
Family - Plantaginaceae
Category - Biennial
Season of Interest - Summer
Hardiness - H7
Height - up to 2m
Width - 60cm
Location - The East Border, The Woodland Walk
Description: Upright Biennial that forms large, basal rosettes of mid-green, oblong to ovate leaves. In the second year tall, vertical stems of tubular, bell-shaped flowers are produced in pastel shades of pink, purple or creamy white, each Bloom with darker or lighter spots on the inside. Flowers are produced in early summer and are excellent for use as cut flowers. Attractive to bees.
Digitalis purpurea is highly toxic if ingested, but is also the source of digitalin, a drug used to treat heart conditions.
Plants can be considered a short-lived Perennial if deadheaded immediately after flowering, however, it is generally accepted that better quality plants are produced when used as a Biennial.
Flower:
Tall, vertical racemes of tubular, bell-shaped flowers in pastel shades of pink, purple, or white, each bloom with darker or lighter spots inside. Flowers are produced from June into July. Unusually for Digitalis purpurea, 'Excelsior Group' produces flowers all around the stem, instead of just on one side.
Flower colour: Pink, purple, or white
Flower shape: Tubular, bell-shaped flowers in racemes
Flowering time: June, July
Foliage:
Downy, mid-green, oblong to ovate leaves form a large basal rosette in their first year and are then produced up the flowering stems in the second year.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Oblong to ovate
Poison Information:
This plant is poisonous.
This plant is highly toxic if ingested.
Propagation:
Seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.