About
A rosette-forming herbaceous perennial, 60cm high, with lance-shaped, dark green leaves, and spikes of soft coppery yellow flowers, spotted and flushed with bronze, from mid to late summer.
About the genus
Digitalis can be biennials or usually short-lived perennials forming a rosette of simple leaves with bell-shaped flowers in slender, erect, usually one-sided racemes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
ToxicityTOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in sun, and add organic mulch. See foxglove cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required except deadheading the flowering stems if self-seeding is not wanted, and which may encourage stronger growth the following year
PropagationPropagate by seed, or by division, removing offsets, in spring; it will also self-seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to caterpillars but generally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal leaf spots, powdery mildews, downy mildews, crown rots and root rots