Tulip Winter Aconite Click here for a printer friendly version of this page. This large, showy plant is a dramatic addition to any shade garden. They look best grouped toward the back of a bed, where their blossoms will brighten an otherwise gloomy spot. Flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, rose, red, lavender and purple grow on spikes that vary in height depending on the variety. Rusty foxglove with its rusty-red flowers is the tallest, growing to about 6 feet, while the little yellow foxglove grows to only two or three feet.
Most varieties bloom the second year after planting from seed.
The individual flowers are about the size and shape of a thimble. In fact, the Latin name digitalis comes from the Latin word digitanus which means finger. This is because the blossoms fit the human finger almost perfectly. Inside each flower is a large white area that is covered with deep burgundy or brown spots. The flowers and leaves contain highly toxic alkaloids and should never be put in the mouth.