Foxglove 'Fairy Bells'
Digitalis purpurea

SKU # S1228

Category: Seeds

Approximate Seeds Per Packet: 1099

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Mrs. M. Grieve in the Modern Herbal (1931) recounts the folklore of the foxglove, "The Foxglove derives its common name from the shape of the flowers resembling the finger of a glove. It was originally Folksglove - the glove of the 'good folk' or fairies, whose favourite haunts were supposed to be in the deep hollows and woody dells, where the Foxglove delights to grow. There is a northern legend that bad fairies gave these blossoms to the fox that he might put them on his toes to soften his tread when he prowled among the roosts. The mottlings of the blossoms of the Foxglove and the Cowslip, like the spots on butterfly wings and on the tails of peacocks and pheasants, were said to mark where the elves had placed their fingers." We salute the long history of foxgloves in gardens by renaming this intricately spotted variety 'Fairy Bells'. Poisonous

Symbol Legend & Hardiness Codes

We use several symbols and abbreviations in our catalog:

: Especially fragrant flowers
: Scented leaves
: Great for containers
: Great cut flower
: Deer-resistant
: Heat and/or drought tolerant
: Attracts butterflies
: Attracts hummingbirds
: Attracts bees
: Attracts beneficial insects
: Native Flower

Hardiness codes:

HA -- Hardy Annual. Hardy annuals can stand some frost, so sow in the open ground well before the last spring frost date, or, in warm winter areas, sow in fall.
HHA -- Half-hardy Annual. Half-hardy annuals will survive a very light frost but are planted in the open at the last spring frost date or a little later. They can also be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost.
TA -- Tender Annuals. Tender annuals are warm weather plants that cannot withstand any frost and prefer warm nights. Tender annuals with long weeks to bloom (16-18+) should be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost.

Lifecycle: Biennial

Zone: 4,5,6,7,8

Size: 3-4' h x 1-1.5' w

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Regular to rich, moist, well-drained

Season: Spring to summer

Seed to Bloom:

Color: White with spots

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Growing Guide
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Growing Guide

Sowing Instructions:

Depth: Surface sow and press in lightly; requires light to germinate.
Sprout Time: 7-20 days
Starting Indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost,secure containers with plastic covering to retain moisture while seeds germinate. Keep at 60-65°F. Keep moist, but do not allow to remain too damp, as this can cause fungal problems, such as damping off.
Starting Outdoors: After last spring frost, surface sow in a location with full sun to part shade (especially in very hot locations). Will bloom the following year. Some gardeners prefer to sow in a nursery bed until midsummer, transplanting to final spot in fall or early spring as soon as the ground can be worked.

When to Set Outside

At last frost date.

Placement & Cultivation

Foxgloves are enchanting woodland’s edge flowers where they shine against greenery, and impressive exclamation points in flower filled June borders. Deer avoid it, bees love it and if cut when just opening they last well in bouquets. Deadhead after flowering to decrease self-sowing and increase their perennial tendencies. Avoid locations that are wet in the winter.
Water Use: Medium Water Use
Watering Details: Water regularly—1" per week, more during particularly dry spells.
Soil pH: Acidic to mildly alkaline.
Fertilizer: Mix about 2" of compost into the soil at time of planting, and top-dress next spring with about 1"; scratch in.
Diseases & Pests: Slugs can be troublesome. Prevent damage by sprinkling iron phosphate pellets on the ground around the plants during favorable conditions for slugs. Avoid powdery mildew and leaf spot with proper spacing in a location that has good air circulation.

Plant Description

Plant: Clumping rosettes of green, lance-to-ovate shaped leaves, with the largest leaves at the bottom, decreasing in size moving up the flower stalks. Remove any winter-damaged leaves in spring.
Seeds: Flowers turn into brown capsules containing tiny brown seeds.
When to Cut: When about half of the florets have opened

Fun Fact

The genus name Digitalis comes from the Latin digitus, meaning finger, in reference the flower shape—their appearance is similar to that of the tips of a glove. Flowers and leaves are highly toxic.

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Foxglove 'Fairy Bells'
Digitalis purpurea

Symbol Legend & Hardiness Codes

Hardiness codes:

Growing Companions

Growing Guide

Sowing Instructions:

When to Set Outside

Placement & Cultivation

Plant Description

Fun Fact

Ratings & Reviews

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Foxglove 'Fairy Bells' Digitalis purpurea

Symbol Legend & Hardiness Codes

Hardiness codes:

Growing Companions

Growing Guide

Sowing Instructions:

When to Set Outside

Placement & Cultivation

Plant Description

Fun Fact

Ratings & Reviews

Notify Me

Email A Friend

Foxglove 'Fairy Bells'
Digitalis purpurea