Flower Library
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea · Wegerichgewächse (Plantaginaceae)
Foxglove is one of the most striking summer cut flowers: tall, gracefully arching spires of finger-shaped blooms, often delicately speckled inside. We only get it for a few weeks each year and select it at the right bud stage at the Veiling Rhein-Maas so it keeps opening for a long time in the vase. Its vertical line instantly adds height and rural romance to any arrangement.
- Season
- May – June – July – August
- Vase life
- 5–8 days
- Latin name
- Digitalis purpurea
- Colors
- Pink, Purple, White, Cream, Apricot, Lavender
Botanically, foxglove belongs to the genus Digitalis. The classic common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is biennial and forms its characteristic flower spikes, often over a metre tall, in its second year. There is also the woolly foxglove (Digitalis lanata) with cream, net-veined flowers, plus modern F1 hybrids that bloom in their first year and provide more uniform cut material.
In floristry we value foxglove above all as a line flower. The slender, gently curving spike gives bouquets and arrangements structure and height, much like delphinium or snapdragon, but with its own wild, romantic character. It looks particularly lovely in loose summer bouquets in a garden or cottage-garden style.
The most important quality factor is the right cutting stage. We process foxglove when roughly the lower third of the flowers has opened while the upper part of the spike is still in bud. That way the stems keep opening from the bottom up in the vase. Once flowers have been pollinated by bees they drop more quickly, so we deliberately look for fresh, unpollinated stems at purchase.
The colour range runs from strong purple through soft pink and apricot to pure white and cream. In a bouquet we like to combine foxglove with roses, peonies, gypsophila and grasses. We set the tall spires slightly above the main blooms so the characteristic upward-reaching silhouette comes into its own.
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle and place them straight into lukewarm, clean water.
- 02Do not overfill the vase: foxglove draws less water than thick stems, so a medium water level is enough.
- 03Change the water every one to two days and give the stems a fresh cut each time.
- 04Keep the vase cool and out of direct sunlight to keep the spires fresh for longer.
- 05Pick off spent individual flowers at the base so the upper part of the spike keeps opening cleanly.
- 06Wash your hands after handling the stems and keep the vase water away from children and pets.
Frequently asked
- How long does foxglove last in a vase?
- Cut fresh and at the right bud stage, foxglove lasts about five to eight days. The key is buying stems that are unpollinated and not over-mature. With regular water changes and re-cutting, the spike keeps opening from the bottom up.
- Is foxglove poisonous?
- Yes, foxglove is highly toxic in all parts of the plant. It contains cardiac glycosides such as digitoxin and digoxin that are dangerous even in small amounts. The vase water also absorbs these substances, so foxglove should be kept out of reach of children and pets, and the water should not be spilled or drunk by animals.
- When is foxglove in season as a cut flower?
- The main season is early summer, roughly from May to August, peaking in June and July. Because foxglove is only available for a few weeks, it is one of the classic seasonal flowers we source fresh from the Veiling Rhein-Maas while the quality is right.
- Why do the lower flowers of foxglove drop off?
- The lowest flowers are the oldest and naturally drop first, especially if they have already been pollinated. This is normal and not a sign of poor quality. Simply pick off the spent individual blooms and the spike stays tidy while the upper part keeps opening.