About

A compact, semi-evergreen perennial, to 60cm high in flower, with lance-shaped dark green leaves, broader at the base and narrower on the stems. Upright spikes bearing nodding, bell-shaped flowers, rich pink on the outside and pale pink to cream in the throats, are produced over a long season from early to late summer. This cultivar flowers in its first year.

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

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildflower meadow, 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; ideally a sheltered, warm site with humus-rich soil in light or partial shade. 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. As this plant is protected by Plant Breeders' Rights, any propagation should be for personal rather than commercial use
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and leaf spot