Which Foxgloves Are Perennials?

In most cases, foxgloves display their showy blooms for just two years' time; however, besides the majority of biennial foxgloves, there are two perennial varietals. The Latin name for the foxglove family, "digitalis," comes from the Latin word for finger. The name was inspired by the unique size of the bell-shaped flowers, which fit snugly over a fingertip.

The sunset foxglove (Digitalis obscura), also known as the willow-leaved foxglove, is so named because of its flower's sunset hues, spanning a range of oranges, reds, pinks and umbers. Native to southern Spain, the plant does well in relatively dry climates and at high altitudes. It has shiny leaves that remain green through the winter in mild climates. If you're growing a sunset foxglove, plant it in moderately moist soil, taking care not to over-water. On the other hand, the foxglove is fairly resistant to drought. It can grow in either full or partial sun. The sunset foxglove grows at a moderate pace, reaching heights between 1 and 3 feet. It typically grows in small clusters. Expect blooms from spring through summer. These blooms may attract local hummingbirds.

The Merton foxglove (Digitalis X mertonensis), or the "strawberry foxglove," has flowers that range in color from deep berry-red to pink with copper highlights. As with the sunset varietal, it grows perennially. The Merton's shoots of flowers reach around 3 feet in height. It grows well in either full or partial sun. For best results, plant it in neutral to slightly acidic soil. As with the sunset foxglove, the Merton will suffer from over-watering. In cooler climates, sunnier spots are ideal. The Merton foxglove is poisonous to animals and humans. It does attract butterflies and bees, however.

The majority of foxgloves, including the common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), are biennials. However, a few varietals may be categorized either as hardy biennials or short-lived perennials, returning for a third or even a fourth year when planted under optimal conditions. The rusty foxglove (Digitalis ferruginea) is so named because of the rust-red shade of its flowers. It can be grown as a short-lived perennial. It grows quite high, reaching up to 6 feet tall. Another short-lived perennial, the yellow foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora) is a more moderately sized variety, reaching around 2 or 3 feet in height. Its flowers are a honey-yellow color and sometimes feature brown stripes or spots. Finally, if you plant heirloom or open-pollinating varieties of biennial foxgloves, they may self-seed, spreading throughout your garden naturally, and returning after more than two years' time.