Foxglove is a striking garden plant known for its tall flower spikes covered in bell-shaped blooms. It adds height, texture, and a classic cottage-garden look to backyard landscapes.
Foxglove grows best in partial shade with well-drained soil and often blooms in late spring to early summer. From traditional purple varieties to softer pastel and modern hybrids, these are the most popular foxglove varieties to grow in your backyard.
1. Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Common foxglove is the classic variety most gardeners recognize, with tall spikes of purple, pink, or white bell-shaped flowers. It typically blooms in late spring to early summer and can reach 3–5 feet tall. This variety prefers partial shade, well-drained soil, and often self-seeds, returning year after year.
2. Apricot Foxglove
Apricot foxglove produces soft peach and apricot-colored blooms that add warmth to the garden. It has the same tall, upright growth as common foxglove but offers a gentler color palette. This variety thrives in partial shade and works beautifully in cottage-style gardens.
3 Camelot Foxglove Series
Camelot foxgloves are bred for strong stems and uniform flowering. They bloom in their first year, making them popular with home gardeners who want quick results. This series comes in shades of pink, rose, lavender, and white and grows well in borders and mixed flower beds.
4. Dalmatian Foxglove Series
Dalmatian foxgloves are compact plants that bloom earlier than many other varieties. They reach about 2–3 feet tall and are ideal for smaller gardens and containers. This variety prefers partial shade and well-drained soil and is very beginner-friendly.
5. Excelsior Foxglove
Excelsior foxgloves are known for their outward-facing flowers, which make the blooms easier to see compared to traditional foxgloves. They come in shades of pink, rose, and cream and grow tall and elegant. This variety adds strong vertical interest to garden beds and borders.
6. Foxy Foxglove
Foxy foxgloves are compact plants that bloom in their first year, making them great for gardeners who want fast results. They reach about 2–3 feet tall and produce classic bell-shaped flowers in purple, pink, and white. This variety works well i smaller gardens, borders, and even large containers.
7. Strawberry Foxglove (Digitalis × mertonensis)
Strawberry foxgloves feature soft rose-pink blooms that resemble the color of ripe strawberries. They are slightly shorter and sturdier than common foxgloves and bloom in late spring to early summer. This variety prefers partial shade and adds a romantic look to cottage gardens.
8. Yellow Foxglove (Digitalis lutea)
Yellow foxgloves produce smaller, pale yellow flowers on slender stems. They have a lighter, more delicate appearance than traditional foxgloves and fit well into naturalistic or woodland gardens. This variety is hardy, long-lived, and prefers partial shade.
9. Giant Foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora)
Giant foxgloves have large, soft yellow blooms and a more robust growth habit. They can reach 4–5 feet tall and bloom in early summer. This variety is excellent for adding height and structure to shaded garden beds.
10. Alba Foxglove
Alba foxgloves produce pure white flower spikes that brighten shaded areas. They offer a clean, elegant look and pair well with darker foliage plants. This variety thrives in partial shade and is often used to soften and lighten garden designs.
11. Pam’s Choice Foxglove
Pam’s Choice foxgloves feature creamy white blooms heavily speckled with deep purple spots inside each bell. They have a dramatic, high-contrast look that stands out in cottage and woodland gardens. This variety grows tall, prefers partial shade, and blooms in late spring to early summer.
12. Snow Thimble Foxglove
Snow Thimble foxgloves produce pure white, bell-shaped flowers with subtle interior markings. They offer a soft, elegant look and are great for brightening shaded areas. This variety grows to a medium height and works well in mixed borders and cottage gardens.
13. Illumination Foxglove Series
Illumination foxgloves are modern hybrids known for their long bloom time and vibrant colors like peach, rose, and soft yellow. Unlike traditional foxgloves, they are perennial and bloom over a longer season. This variety prefers partial shade and well-drained soil and is great for gardeners wanting extended color.
14. Polkadot Foxglove Series
Polkadot foxgloves are compact, perennial hybrids with spotted, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and cream. They bloom longer than traditional biennial foxgloves and stay neat and sturdy. This variety is excellent for smaller gardens and low-maintenance plantings.
15. Sutton’s Apricot Foxglove
Sutton’s Apricot foxgloves are known for their soft apricot and peach-toned blooms. They add warmth and subtle color to garden beds and cottage-style landscapes. This variety grows tall, prefers partial shade, and often self-seeds gently once established.
