Growth form:
The foxglove grows as a herbaceous, creeping plant, and once it reaches a certain size, it also becomes slightly drooping. It can reach a height of 20 to 30 cm.
Blossom:
With proper care, masses of five-lobed flowers in pink, red, apricot, violet and white appear on the flower spikes from June onwards.
If the plant is consistently pruned and thus the formation of seeds is avoided, it will bloom throughout the summer until October, although it may take a break in July and then bloom again at full strength in August.
Leaves:
The medium green leaves have a round to heart-shaped growth habit.
Location requirements:
The foxglove requires sandy, well-drained soils, as it does not tolerate waterlogging.
It prefers sunny locations, but in a pinch, it will also thrive in partial shade. It should be placed in a sheltered location, as it is very susceptible to heavy rain or wind.
Care:
The foxglove is quite easy to care for. Its water requirements depend on its location; the root ball should not dry out, and waterlogging should be avoided. It requires only moderate fertilization. To encourage the formation of new flowers, dead plant parts should be cut back generously.
Reproduction:
If you stop pruning and collect the seeds from September onwards, they can be germinated on the windowsill from February onwards and planted out on the balcony or in the flowerbed from May onwards.
TEXT Annette Henning
