Culture
Best grown in evenly moist, well-draining soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers rich, humusy, slightly acidic soils. Cut flowering stalk back after flowers fade to encourage reblooming. This cultivar is not known to set seed, and may only be useful in the garden as an annual or short-lived perennial.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Digitalis is a genus of around 20 species native to Europe, central Asia, and northwestern Africa. They are characterized by showy flowering spikes of tubular flowers. All parts of these plants are toxic if ingested.
Genus name comes from the Latin digitus meaning "finger" for the flower shape.
FOXLIGHT RUBY GLOW, also sold under the cultivar name 'Takforugl', is a hybrid foxglove cultivar featuring dark pink, tubular flowers with orange interiors held on upright, 15" tall flowering stalks. Mature clumps will reach up to 2' tall and spread to fill a similar area. The main bloom period falls in early summer, with reblooming possible through early fall. Suitable for use as a cut flower. Plant patent number PP25640 applies to this cultivar.
Problems
Powdery mildew and leaf spot, if left untreated, can depreciate foliage considerably by early to mid-summer. Dense woody crowns may rot in soggy, poorly-drained winter soils. Potential insect pests include aphids, mealy bugs, slugs and Japanese beetles. The flowers are eaten by the larvae of the foxglove pug moth. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Cottage gardens, mixed borders, English-style gardens, containers.