A Step-by-Step Guide for Growing Healthy Foxgloves

An import from Western Europe, Asia, and Africa, the unique Foxglove is one of the greatest ways to give your yard some character. This striking plant belongs to the genus Digitalis family, featuring soaring flower spikes that bring a touch of drama to your outdoor space. With a profusion of captivating tubular flowers, Foxglove creates an artsy vibe for your plot. It not only adds texture to the scene and stands tall as a point of architectural interest, but holds historical value as well.

In this article, we delve deeper into everything that is Foxglove. From plant varieties, plantation and growth, care, and pruning to common diseases, this in-depth guide helps you grow Foxglove the easy way.

Best Foxglove Beardtongue Varieties to Grow in Your Yard

What makes Foxglove beardedtongue a go-to plant for most gardeners and homeowners? Well, it has a wide range of varieties for starters. It also comes in an assortment of shades, from purples and pinks to whites and yellows. This allows you to choose the variety that best suits your home décor and matches your gardening goals. Thanks to Foxglove’s various shapes, sizes, and patterns, you can plant this woodland charm to fully revamp your yard. The following are some of our favorite Foxglove varieties:

Dakota Burgundy Penstemon

Dakota Burgundy Penstemon is a striking perennial that masterfully embodies the definition of luxury. It elevates your landscape design with its charming lavender flowers that resemble dangling bells. Add to this its striking deep burgundy foliage that goes perfectly well with the blooms. Such a bold palette adds a touch of mystery to the scene and gives your yard a unique look. 

This Foxglove variety grows up to 12 to 18 inches in height, making it ideal for a variety of outdoor spaces. Whether you have a tiny yard that needs a little fixer-upper or a sprawling garden that calls for a catchy border, it will grace your yard with its gripping hues. Plant Dakota Burgundy Penstemon in your rock garden to add an unexpected splash of color to the scene. Perfect as cut flowers, this captivating perennial doubles as a home decor item. Step into your garden, cut some of its beautiful flowers, bring them indoors, and finally put them in your vase. The reward? It instantly gives your living room a royal touch. 

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Dakota Verde Penstemon

Hardy in USDA growing zones 3 to 9, Dakota Verde Penstemon is a drought-tolerant perennial that brings ornamental charm, value, and natural benefits to the scene. It reaches a mature height of 12 inches, making it ideal for limited spaces in need of a pop of color. 

Offering a blend of sheer elegance and royalty, this striking plant features exceptional blooms. Light pink on the inside and purple on the outside, these flowers are a sight to behold, bringing every visitor close to contemplate their unique nature. Dakota Verde Penstemon introduces a wild theme that is bound to turn heads with its purplish-green foliage and dark purple stem.

Dakota Verde Penstemon is an easy-to-grow perennial that graces your yard with a mystifying display with minimal upkeep. Just plant it in a spot that receives full sun, with low moisture and well-drained soil conditions for the best results. 

Husker Red Penstemon

Husker Red Penstemon is a low-maintenance plant that bursts with character and for a good reason. It adorns your outdoor space with an explosion of angelic white blooms with occasional hints of pink strokes. Adding to its beauty, the captivating dark purple foliage masterfully wraps up this piece of art. These contrasting shades put on a striking display that gives your outdoor space a mysterious allure. The white glow brings a sense of tranquility, the rosy splash adds a feminine touch, and the dark purple stem evokes a sense of luxury that lingers.

Husker Red Penstemon grows up to 3 feet in height, making it perfect for a variety of landscape uses. You can plant it as a perennial border to boost your home’s curb appeal. However, if you have a wild garden, this Foxglove variety will add an enchanting sense of intrigue that you can never miss.

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Plantation and Growth

Even though it is resilient enough to grow in various conditions, foxglove favors slightly acidic soil over neutral ones. The trick is to select a location that mimics their natural wood habitat. A partially shaded area and well-draining soil will give you the best results. However, Foxgloves still grow well in sunny spots, especially in areas with milder seasons.

Once you’ve successfully chosen the right location, dig a hole larger than the root ball of the Foxglove. Then, carefully remove the plant from the container and place it into the hole. For complete growth, leave an 18-inch distance between Foxgloves. Keep in mind that the first year is mostly about the foliage growth. Come the second year, the Foxglove will grace your garden with a profusion of enchanting blooms.

 Plant Care

It is quite vital to water your Foxglove on a regular basis (once a week). However, in dry seasons or scorching hot days, you need to water the plant more frequently to avoid drought stress. Just keep in mind that heavy or poorly draining soil can result in water-logging, eventually causing root damage. Want a watering trick to stay on the safe side? Place your finger on the soil’s surface (just an inch below). If it feels dry, then it’s time to water your Foxglove.  

Also, supplying your Foxglove with the necessary nutrients is essential for healthy growth. This is where mulching comes into the picture. It not only helps with moisture retention but prevents weeds from competing with your plant. Even in winter, when the temperature drops and plants get affected by the biting cold, a layer of mulch shields the roots.

Pruning and Propagation

Is your Foxglove flowering phase about to be over? A little pruning can be extremely useful now. Not only will the trimming encourage side branches to sprout, but it may result in second blooming as well. However, if you want to gather its seeds or let it freely spread around your yard, we advise you to leave some flowers intact.

As for propagation, you can easily grow Foxgloves from the seeds. You may either let existing plants in your garden self-seed or harvest seeds from their pods. Another way of propagation is through basal cuttings in spring. Just place these cuttings in a pot and keep them moist in a combination of peat moss and perlite until they root.

Common Pests and Diseases

Although hardy and resilient, Foxgloves are still prone to several pests and diseases:

• Aphids: Insecticidal soaps or a powerful water blast from a hose are effective ways to eliminate these tiny insects.
  
  
• Slugs & snails: These pests are drawn to the damp, shady areas that foxgloves like. To protect the plants, use eco-friendly slug pellets or barriers.
  
  
• Powdery Mildew and Rust: In humid, congested environments, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and rust can pose a threat. You can control these problems by using fungicide treatments, irrigating at ground level in the morning, and ensuring adequate air circulation.
  
  
• Leaf Spot: Bacteria and fungi mainly cause this disease. To treat your Foxglove, remove the infected leaves and avoid overhead watering.

Bottom Line

 Foxgloves bring a touch of refinement and natural beauty to your outdoor space. They create a dynamic display of color and height that fully transforms your yard. The striking bell-shaped flower spikes of foxgloves have an alluring visual appeal that is sophisticated but also whimsical. While they can appear difficult to grow, Foxgloves can flourish and become a beautiful focal point in your garden with some tender loving care and good conditions.

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