About
A perennial species, 60-80cm tall, with tough, slender, downy stems and rosettes of lance-shaped green leaves. Greenish-yellow flowers have dark veins and are carried in long dense spikes, 1.2-1.8m tall, from early to midsummer.
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 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 usesGravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toBalkans
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 any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. See foxglove cultivation for further advice
PruningCut back main flower spike as it fades (unless seedlings are required) 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 a leaf spot and powdery mildews