Foxglove Pam’s Choice

We have great news for you! Foxglove is an exceptionally vigorous and hardy species. In our climate, it does not suffer from any common diseases or pests. It is a completely undemanding plant that even absolute beginners can grow successfully. Therefore, no chemical protection or sprays are needed.

Yes, foxglove is excellent for cutting. The tall, sturdy stems full of flowers look absolutely fantastic in a vase and add a romantic touch to your interior. They stay fresh in a vase of water for approximately six to eight days. However, the plant is not suitable for drying, so we recommend using it only as a fresh decoration.

Certainly! Foxglove is a huge attraction for bees, bumblebees, and other beneficial pollinators. The bell-shaped flower is absolutely ideal for insects. You can often watch bumblebees crawling deep into the throat of the flower for pollen and nectar. By planting them, you will significantly support biodiversity in your garden.

No, the entire plant is highly poisonous to both humans and pets. It contains substances called digitalis glycosides, which can dangerously affect heart function. We recommend:

• Wearing gloves when handling the plant (e.g., during transplanting or cutting).
• Planting foxglove out of reach of small children and curious pets.
• Always washing your hands thoroughly after working in the flower bed.

The plant will delight you with its flowers at the beginning of summer, specifically in June and July. Strong, tall stems grow from a basal rosette of green leaves, on which large, bell-shaped flowers bloom gradually. The 'Pam’s Choice' cultivar is unique in its coloring – the flower is creamy white on the outside, while the inner throat is decorated with deep burgundy spots and marbling.

Yes, and it does so very willingly! Once the plant finishes flowering at the end of summer and the seeds ripen, it self-seeds in its surroundings. New young plants from natural sowing will appear in autumn or spring and will bloom beautifully the following year. If you want to prevent it from spreading on its own, simply remove the faded flower stems in time.

Foxglove often acts as a biennial or a short-lived perennial. In practice, this means that the seedlings will grow strong and bloom profusely after planting, but the parent plant itself usually dies after a few years. You don't have to worry about losing it, though. In a suitable location, it reliably self-seeds, which ensures it stays in your flower bed and guarantees continuous blooming.

You don't need to worry much about overwintering. This cultivar is fully hardy down to -28 °C (Zone 5a), so it handles Central European winters perfectly. The only thing to watch out for is the harsh winter sun, which could scorch the evergreen basal leaf rosette. To be safe, you can lightly cover the leaves with evergreen boughs for the winter.

This plant thrives best in sun or partial shade. It grows naturally at forest edges and clearings, so a cooler location with higher humidity is ideal. It is very important not to plant it in permanently waterlogged soil; instead, find a compromise—a spot where it will have enough light but will not suffer from intense sun or excessive drought.

Growing it in large pots is theoretically possible, but for foxglove, it is not an ideal choice. The plant develops a strong root system and could suffer from extremes in a container—either drying out quickly or, conversely, becoming waterlogged, which is a risk especially in the winter months. It will thrive best when planted directly in a garden bed.