Foxglove

Foxglove is a biennial: a leafy rosette in its first year, then dramatic flower spikes 3 to 5 feet tall in its second, hung with spotted tubular bells in pink, purple, cream and white. They are among the most striking things in a late-spring garden, and bumblebees work the bells methodically from the bottom of the spike upward. Native to western Europe, it has naturalised in cool, damp parts of North America.

Sow seed on the surface in late spring or early summer, in trays or a nursery bed, and set the rosettes out in fall, 12 to 18 inches apart in rich, moist soil in part shade; in cool climates it takes full sun. Once established it self-seeds freely and appears to persist, since each year's seedlings flower while the next year's establish. Cut the main spike after bloom for smaller side spikes, or leave one to ripen seed.

For cutting, take the spike when the lower third of the bells is open and it lasts a week. Every part of the plant is poisonous if eaten, which is why deer and rabbits leave it alone; wear gloves when handling it and keep it away from where small children play. Slugs chew the young rosettes. The strawberry foxglove (Digitalis × mertonensis) and the yellow species are true perennials for a longer-lived planting.