Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea 'Pam's Choice')

Overview

Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’, commonly known as Common foxglove, is prized for its dramatic, towering flower spikes, making it a focal point in late spring gardens. This specific cultivar dazzles with pristine white flowers accented by richly marked maroon throats, standing 3 to 4 feet high. While technically a biennial or short-lived perennial, it establishes easily and self-seeds readily under ideal conditions, ensuring its presence year after year. Gardeners value Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ for its architectural height and low maintenance requirements once established in the right setting.

This selection performs best when provided with consistent moisture and rich, organically amended soil. The plant initially forms a low basal rosette of evergreen leaves during its first year, saving energy for the spectacular flowering display the following spring. Hummingbirds are frequently drawn to these intricate, pendulous blooms, adding dynamic movement to the landscape display.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-4 ft
  • Spread: 1-2.5 ft
• Bloom Time: May to June
• Bloom Description: White with maroon throat and interior spotting
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ is best accomplished by sowing seeds directly into the garden bed in spring, after all danger of frost has passed. Expect only a basal rosette the first year; the dramatic flower spikes reserved for the following late spring or early summer. For optimal growth, ensure the location offers part shade or morning sun and is rich in organic matter. Critically, this plant prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils and cannot tolerate drying out.

Maintenance is relatively low for this Common foxglove. Provide medium water, especially during dry spells, ensuring the soil remains consistently damp but never waterlogged, as dense crowns can rot in soggy winter conditions. Deadheading spent flower spikes immediately after bloom encourages a secondary flush of flowers, increasing the season of interest.

To encourage Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ to behave more like a true perennial, cut all flowering stalks back to the basal foliage before the seeds fully develop. If you prefer naturalizing and self-seeding, leave a few spikes intact. Remember that successful self-seeding requires isolation from other Digitalis varieties.

Landscape Uses

The tall, stately spires of Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ make them invaluable for adding vertical accents to garden borders. They achieve spectacular results when planted near dark backgrounds, such as a brick wall or dense evergreen shrubs, allowing the white spires and maroon throats to truly stand out. This plant is also highly effective when naturalized in woodland garden settings where dappled light mimics its native habitat.

Pair this Common foxglove with later-blooming perennials that can fill the gap once the foxglove finishes its show in early summer. Consider companions like Hostas for foliage texture or large ornamental grasses that offer contrasting forms. Their upright nature makes them excellent middle-or back-of-the-border choices, providing structure and elegance.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Digitalis purpurea is a biennial foxglove that produces only a basal rosette of light green, oblong leaves in the first year from seed. Flowers are borne in the second year in terminal, one-sided racemes atop leafy, 2-4’ tall (infrequently to 5’) spires arising from the centers of the basal rosettes. Pendulous, 2-3” long, tubular, funnel-shaped, dark rose-pink to purple (sometimes white) flowers with purple and white spots inside are closely grouped along each spike. ‘Pam’s Choice’ features white flowers (0.75 to 1.5” long) with maroon throats and interior spotting, offering a crisp contrast to other spring bloomers.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Powdery mildew and leaf spot are common cosmetic issues that can spoil the foliage by mid-summer, especially if air circulation is poor. Ensure adequate spacing to mitigate fungal spread. Dense crowns are susceptible to rot if situated in heavy, poorly-drained soil during winter months; amend heavy clay soil thoroughly before planting. Watch for potential pests, which can include aphids, mealy bugs, slugs, and Japanese beetles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Common foxglove suitable for?

Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ is typically hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.

How large does Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ grow?

This variety generally reaches heights between 3 and 4 feet, spreading to between 1 and 2.5 feet wide.

When does Common foxglove bloom?

Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ blooms primarily from May to June, presenting white flowers with striking maroon throats and interior spotting.

What sun exposure does Common foxglove need?

It thrives in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade, though some protection from the harshest afternoon sun is beneficial in hotter climates.

Conclusion

Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ delivers highly sought-after vertical interest and beautiful speckled white blooms, making the Common foxglove a staple for cottage and woodland gardens. Its low maintenance coupled with its attractiveness to hummingbirds secures its place in many planting schemes. Before planting, confirm your local USDA zone compatibility and prepare soil rich in organic matter for the best performance next season.

Companion Planting for Foxgloves

When designing a border featuring Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice,’ select companions that appreciate similar cultural conditions: consistently moist, organically rich soil and morning sun or partial shade. Bulbs like late-blooming Alliums or spring ephemerals often bloom before the foxglove reaches its peak height, ensuring continuous interest. Later in the season, pairing with large-leaved Hostas or Astilbes works well, as they cover the sometimes scraggly basal foliage left after the primary bloom spike fades.

For a classic English garden look, intersperse the white-flowered Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ among shorter, mounding plants like Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle). The chartreuse foliage of Lady’s Mantle provides a soft contrast to the towering spikes, and its slightly drier tolerance is usually manageable near the water-loving foxglove. This creates layered interest both in color and texture throughout the early summer garden.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Early spring care involves cleaning up any old foliage, though the basal rosette of Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ often remains evergreen. Top-dress the planting area with well-rotted compost to replenish organic matter, which keeps the soil moist and acidic—key elements for healthy growth. Avoid deep cultivation near established plants to protect shallow roots.

Mid-season care centers on bloom management. If you desire maximum repeat flowering, deadhead promptly after the main spire finishes, cutting back to a strong side shoot or the basal foliage. If you wish to encourage self-seeding for next year’s Common foxglove generation, leave a few spikes standing until the seeds are allowed to mature and disperse naturally.

Late season offers the last chance to manage the plant’s biennial nature. If you want to ensure the plants stay tidy, remove spent stalks entirely before they look unsightly. If you want them to behave as long-lived perennials, cutting stalks back when they fade encourages the basal growth to remain robust and ready for winter dormancy.