About
A semi-evergreen perennial, to around 60cm high, with a woody base and narrowly linear, grey-green leaves. Upright spikes bearing nodding, tubular to bell-shaped flowers, in shades of red, burnt orange and golden yellow, are produced from spring 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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Alpine Rockery
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, 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
CultivationPrefers a sunny, well drained site; perfect for a rockery or alpine house. Needs protection from hard frosts and excess winter wet. See foxglove cultivation for more detailed advice
PruningDeadhead to encourage more flowers (unless seeds are required)
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring, or by division in early spring. Plants grown from seed may vary
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, leaf and bud eelworms, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and leaf spot