Digitalis purpurea is an herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial plant in Plantaginaceae (plantain or veronica) family. It has a native range that spans across several countries in Western Europe (Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom) and North Africa. Today outside of its natural range, plant has been introduced throughout the world. Foxglove naturally found in open woods, woodland clearings, sea-cliffs, rocky mountain slopes as they are eurytopic plants (their seeds germinate when exposed to light, in dark shade they will not germinated). Genus’s name comes from the Latin digitus meaning ‘finger’ for the flower shape. Specific epithet purpurea means ‘purple’. Individual flowers resemble the snipped off fingers of a glove, hence the common name of foxglove.

Digitalis purpurea is a biennial or short-lived perennial which may be grown from seed sown directly in the garden in spring for flowering the following year. The foliage forms a tight rosette at ground level in the first year. The oblong leaves are spirally arranged, simple, 10–35 cm long and 5–12 cm broad, and are covered with gray-white pubescent hairs. The flowering stem develops in the second year, typically 1–2 m tall, sometimes longer. The flowering period is early summer, sometimes with additional flower stems developing later in the season. The flowers are arranged in a showy, terminal, elongated cluster, and each flower is tubular and pendent. They are typically purple, but some plants, especially those under cultivation, may be pink, rose, yellow, or white. The inside surface of the flower tube is heavily spotted. Removal of flower spikes after bloom will encourage a secondary bloom. The fruit is a capsule which splits open at maturity to release the numerous tiny 0.1-0.2 mm seeds.

There are four phenotypes of the Foxglove: white flower with purple spots, an albino flower with yellow spots, a light purple flower, a dark purple flower.

Digitalis purpurea Prefers well-drained, moist, organically rich, acidic soils in full sun to part shade. Easily grown from seed, usually blooms 5 months from seeding. May also rebloom the following spring. After cutting back the faded flower stems to ground level may encourage a second flush of flowers. Deadhead after flowering to avoid excessive numbers of seedlings, but some flowers must go to seed to maintain a permanent planting as if they were perennials. Foxglove is hardy down to -15 °C.

Numerous cultivars of Digitalis purpurea have been developed with a range of colours. Cultivated forms often show flowers completely surrounding the central spike, in contrast to the wild form, where the flowers only appear on one side. Excelsior hybrids, in shades of white, pink and purple. Nectar-rich flowers are very attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Powdery mildew and leaf spot are fungal infestations, potential harmful insect pests include aphids, mealy bugs, slugs and Japanese beetles.

Due to the presence of the cardiac glycosides digitoxin and digoxin, the leaves, flowers and seeds of the Foxglove are all poisonous to humans and some animals and can be fatal if ingested. Digitalis toxin can cause the heart to beat more strongly. Extracted cardiac glycosides digitoxin and digoxin from the leaves, are made drugs to be used in treatment of heart failure.

Use in Landscape: Digitalis purpurea is a popular ornamental, providing height and colour in late spring and early summer. Tall spires provide striking colour and good architectural height to the border and are particularly effective in front of dark backgrounds such as those provided by a wall or shrubs when planted in mass. Also effective in woodland gardens or naturalized areas. These plants can remain in the garden for many years through self-seeding as if they were long-lived perennials, often establishing large colonies in optimum growing conditions.