Common name: foxglove

Family name: Plantaginaceae

Description: basal rosette of leaves with a large, statuesque flower spike growing from the top; flowers ranging from white-pink-light purple, and are bell shaped and tightly arranged.

Flower: bell shaped, bee pollinated, with a long flowering season of 2+ months; flowers have fine hairs inside and are speckled with dark dots and are held on a large, upright spike.

Foliage: basal rosette forms the first year, leaves are large, simple, ovate, with irregular margins.

Growing conditions: part sun/part shade; well-drained soil; low water usage.

Height and spread: 2-3m (max) by 0.3-0.6m

Limitations: Doesn’t flower until the second year after planting, so not suited for an area that needs to look good immediately (i.e. a condo showing space); not suited for a formal garden; all parts of the plant are poisonous, so not suitable for areas like a playground, or where children play often.

Landscape uses: excellent bee- attracting plant; has a cottage/english garden feel; self seeds, and is fairly low maintenance, making it good for landscapes where there is little budget for maintenance work, or irrigation.