Woolly Foxglove

What Woolly Foxglove is

Woolly Foxglove (Digitalis lanata) is a biennial flower of the Plantain family (Plantaginaceae). From late spring to midsummer, woolly foxglove produces tall spikes of pale beige flowers, each with a pearly-coloured, prominent lower lip. Each of the flowers is delicately patterned with pale brownish veins.

It prefers light, moist soil and partial shade, but can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture. It prefers constantly moist soil that drains well, as wet soil can cause disease in the plant.

You need to water well, especially in dry periods.

In its first year of growth foxglove will develop a low rosette of thick leaves, and the flowering stem will come in the second year.

Digitalis (foxglove) is an impressive biennial flower with tall spikes of bells — for semi-shaded corners. The whole plant is highly poisonous.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 75%
• Seeds per packet: 323–437 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March and April; seedlings
• Flowering: April and May
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Woolly Foxglove

Woolly Foxglove seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower in April and May. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Woolly Foxglove

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: on the surface (germinates in light)
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Sow directly in spring after the last frost, mixing the fine seeds with sand to distribute them evenly. Cover the seeds very thinly by sprinkling soil over them, and water gently to avoid disturbing them. Germination should occur within 3-4 weeks at a soil temperature of around 20°C.

The seeds germinate in light. Sow in May–July for flowering the following summer.

Flowering and uses

Flowers in June–July.

Frequently asked questions

When should Woolly Foxglove be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 323–437 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 75%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.