These plants were not profiled in this DIY Garden Sense episode but would make sensible selections for an historic looking landscape.
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Digitalis purpurea 'Excelsior Hybrid' – Foxglove
Biennial grown for its spikes of purple trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring
Plants grown from seed flower the second season and then die after setting seed
Collect seeds or allow them to drop to have plants the following year
Although used for heart medicine, all parts of this plant can be toxic
Plant in moist, organic, but well-drained soil
Plant in light to partial shade
Height: 3-5 feet; Width: 2 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 4-10:
Zone 4: Sow seeds or plant in spring; plant in light shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost; protect from salt; remove mature plants after setting seed.
Zone 5: Sow seeds or plant in spring; plant in light shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost; protect from salt; remove mature plants after setting seed.
Zone 6: Sow seeds or plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost; remove mature plants after setting seed.
Zone 7: Sow seeds or plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost; remove mature plants after setting seed.
Zone 8: Sow seeds or plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first frost; remove mature plants after setting seed.
Zone 9: Sow seeds or plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch in fall; remove mature plants after setting seed.
Zone 10: Sow seeds or plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch in fall; remove mature plants after setting seed; plants may languish in warmer, humid regions of this zone.
Perennial foxglove grown for its spikes of raspberry-pink trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring
Although used for heart medicine, all parts of this plant can be toxic
Tolerates sun and drier conditions than old-fashioned varieties
Plant in full sun to light shade
Plant in moist, organic, but well-drained soil
Height: 12 inches; Width: 12 inches
Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost; protect from salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first frost.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; water during dry periods; mulch in fall.
Digitalis x mertonensis
Perennial foxglove grown for its spikes of strawberry-colored trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring
Although used for heart medicine, all parts of this plant can be toxic
Plant in full sun to partial shade
Plant in moist, organic, but well-drained soil
Height: 2-3 feet; Width: 1 foot
Hardy in USDA zones 4-9:
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost; protect from salt.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost; protect from salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch after first frost.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in partial shade; water during dry periods; mulch in fall.
Gardening by Zip Code If you're looking to start a gardening project but don't know your gardening zone—visit the National Gardening Associations's USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. Enter your Zip Code to identify the proper zone.
