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Fairy Foxglove Wikimedia Commons
Plantaginaceae

Fairy Foxglove

Erinus alpinus

Delicacy and enchantment.

Family
Plantaginaceae
Genus
Erinus
Native to
Western Europe, Central Europe, Mountains of Southern Europe
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
perennial herb
Height
0.2-0.5 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
well-drained, alkaline, rocky or gravelly
Water
low
Hardiness
4-8
Lifespan
short-lived perennial

Did you know

  • Despite its common name, Fairy Foxglove is not related to true foxgloves (Digitalis) and is non-toxic.
  • It naturally grows in crevices of limestone cliffs and old stone walls throughout the Alps and Pyrenees.
  • The tiny plant self-seeds prolifically and can colonize the smallest cracks in masonry and rock faces.
  • It was a favorite of Victorian rock garden enthusiasts and remains one of the most popular alpine garden plants.
  • Each flower is only about half an inch across but the plant can produce hundreds of blooms in a dense cluster.

Color meanings

0

charm

1

whimsy

Uses

  • rock gardens
  • stone wall planting
  • alpine garden displays