Excelsior Mixed Hybrid Foxglove Plants

Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group

Hit the heights with Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group! They're a really tall mix of foxgloves, up to 1.8m, with bell-shaped white, pink, cream or purple flowers arranged all round the spike. They're long flowerers, blooming from May-July and if the main flower spike is removed when spent, more will be produced from side shoots.

The tubular flowers have their throats spotted maroon or purple and are perfect for the back of a large cottage-style border. Although short-lived, usually biennials, they will happily self-seed. 

Browse all of our perennial plants.

Great In Your Garden...

Excelsior Group foxgloves are the perfect plants for the back of a shady or semi-shady border, a really tricky spot to fill in the garden. Let them self-seed at the end of the season to continue the display in future years. If you like a particular colour, mark it, collect the seeds and sow them separately.

Foxgloves are great for beginners but remember all parts of the plant are very poisonous. For more flowers, remove the spent main flower stem before it can set seed and more blooms will be produced from side shoots.

They're ideal for the wildlife garden, as flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies.

Features

• Colour: White, cream, purple and pink flowers.
• Flowering: May to July.
• Foliage: Mid-green leaves.
• Height: 1.8m.
• Spread: 60cm.
• Spacing: 60cm.
• Position: Partial shade/shade, will tolerate sun.
• Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam and Sand.
• Native

Did You Know...

Foxgloves' important role in heart medicine was discovered in the 18th century. Digitoxin and digoxin, toxic compounds extracted from the plant, are able to slow down the heartbeat and increase the strength of contractions and prevent oedema.

Caution toxic if eaten
Foxgloves are called digitalis, which is a well-known poison but also is used as a drug for heart problems.

Plant in partial/dappled/full shade in any soil type but avoid over dry or waterlogged areas. Add compost to the planting hole, spacing 50cm apart. Water until established. Can be used in large containers.

Feed with general-purpose fertiliser in spring and water in dry spells. Watch out for aphids and powdery mildew. Remove the main stem when flowers fade for the second flush. Self-seeds freely.