About
A large, evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub to about 3m tall from China with elliptic, somewhat wrinkled, mid-green leaves and erect corymbs of small, white flowers in spring, followed by persistent, small, dark red to black berries in autumn. An attractive and ornamental Cotoneaster for a sheltered, sunny mixed or shrub border.
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 shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toC Europe
ToxicityTOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling 20087,astragalus-trifoliastrum,Astragalus trifoliastrum,,A large
Care notes
CultivationWill grow in almost any soil or situation except very wet or very dry; ideal site is a humus-rich, alkaline soil in partial shade. See foxglove cultivation for further advice
PruningCut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage the growth of flowering side shoots
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring or propagate by division in early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and leaf and bud eelworm
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildews