Fairy foxglove Erinus alpinus
Fairy foxglove (Erinus alpinus) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Plantaginaceae family, native to Pyrenees and Alps (wall and rock crevices). It grows 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Fairy foxglove in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Fairy foxglove at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Pyrenees and Alps (wall and rock crevices) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Fairy foxglove toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Toxicity not documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fairy foxglove
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Fairy foxglove in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (11 plants)
Questions about Fairy foxglove
- How far apart should I plant Fairy foxglove?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Fairy foxglove need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fairy foxglove need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fairy foxglove?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Fairy foxglove flower?
- From about May for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fairy foxglove poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Toxicity not documented.
- What grows well with Fairy foxglove?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fairy foxglove. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Alpine: needs sharp drainage (scree, gravel or a rock-garden pocket) and resents winter wet more than cold.
- Short-lived but self-seeds into walls and paving cracks.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
- Penstemon (beardtongue) Penstemon digitalis
- Hebe Veronica speciosa
- Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia
- Spiked speedwell Veronica spicata