Heavily flowered spikes of purple, lavender, pink, and apricot are produced on one year plants above the mounded, dark green foliage. Most foxgloves are biennial, meaning they have to grow one season and experience cool winter temperatures before they produce flowers. This series cuts the production time in half. Plant them in fertile, moderately moist, well-drained soils and in partially shaded conditions. Deadhead the first year to prevent seed set and encourage a following season of flower. Allow the second year plants to produce and scatter their seeds to ensure future generations in your garden. All parts of the plant are toxic, containing among other compounds, cardiac glycosides. This plant once was used widely to treat gout.