Digitalis purpurea is an easy to grow biennial that will produce foliage in its first year and send up gorgeous flower spikes in its second year before the plant dies.  These plants are prolific self-seeders and tolerant of most soil types.  Prefers at least some shade although it has grown here in nearly every nook and cranny.  If you love it, carefully remove the spent stalks and shake seed in other areas of the garden, or sprinkle over pots and transplant seedlings to your prefered location in the Fall of their first year.