Wands of bell-shaped flowers ascend from a broad, woolly basal rosette. This common cottage garden flower has an important role in the manufacture of heart medicine.
Latin Name
Digitalis purpurea
Family
Plantaginaceae
Also Known As
Lady's Glove
Type of Plant
Perennials
Bloom Season
May - June
Seasons
Spring
Specifications
Max Height: 5'
Max Spread: 2.5'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Part Shade
Tolerances
Attracted Wildlife
Hummingbirds
Toxicity
Do not ingest
Harmful to pets
Colors
Native Range
Europe
History
In 1787, Washington received a packet of foxglove seeds from the Rev. William Gordon, who wrote that "The gentlewoman who has favoured me with the seeds, is fond of the digitalis as a cure for the dropsy, & therefore has sent some of the seed: but from what I have been told, it is so violent & so little to be depended upon in a general way, that I should not choose to make trial of it."
Other Details
Pollinator
Grown by Washington
Sold at Mount Vernon
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
Bring Washington's Garden Home
Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.
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