About
This upright perennial sometimes grown as an annual, reaching up to 80cm high in flower, with lance-shaped, dark green leaves forming a mound at the base. Upright spikes bearing outward-facing, bell-shaped flowers, rich orange on the outside and paler yellow-orange in the throats, are produced over a long season from late 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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Annual Biennial
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
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. Needs protection from hard frosts and excess winter wet. May be short-lived for a perennial. See foxglove cultivation for more detailed advice
PruningDeadhead to encourage more flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in early spring
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