About
This semi-evergreen, clump-forming herbaceous perennial to 1m in height, with rosettes of dark green, hairy leaves and tall, well-branched stems bearing apricot-pink flowers from late spring until 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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright, Clump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal 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
CultivationWill grow in almost any soil or situation except very wet or very dry; ideal site is humus-rich soil in partial shade. See foxglove cultivation for further advice
PruningCut back the main flower spike as it fades to encourage the growth of flowering side shoots
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and leaf and bud eelworm
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and leaf spot