Digitalis


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Specialty Perennials

DIGITALIS
digitatus for finger 

PLANTS FOR LIGHT SHADE
Digitalis or the foxgloves.


The Digitalis's are Perennials or biennials of the family SCROPHULARIACEAE. 

Foxglove's  tend to be medium sized plants with many containing poisons, with
basal leaves in rosettes giving rise to tall leafy 
spikes of flowers in mid to late summer.  Leaves are simple, mostly entire
some what hairy in most species and  several times 
longer than wide. Inflorescence (flowering stems and flowers)  erect with
alternate leaves and numerous flowers held mostly on 
one side of the stems.  Flower corolla is campanulate or tubular shaped. There
are around 21 species Native to Europe, North 
West Africa, and Central Asia. 

All the Foxgloves are ornamental and look good in the garden or naturalized in
a field or damp meadows or along wood 
edges.  Most species are tolerant of a wide range of soils as long as they are
not overly wet or dry. Plants are native to dry soils 
so they are drought tolerant. Plants the first year produce a rosette of
leaves and begin to bloom the secound year. Most of the 
foxgloves grown in gardens come from the biannual species. But the perennial
species have been show an interest by gardeners 
in the last few years. Many of the biennial species have  short lived
perennial populations that should provide some extended life 
to the biennials   I expect to see over the next few years more plants breed
to live and bloom for more than one year.
These are popular plants and are useful as cut flowers. 

Plants should be planted in moist but well drained soil in full sun or part
shade, cutting off the flower spikes as they finish 
blooming will promote a second flush of flowers on smaller spikes. Plants if
in a good spot will self seed, I find some of the 
perennial species growing in other pots but have had none of the biennials
self seed for me thought they do for many people.

The name Digitalis means "finger" and it was once believed that foxes put them
on there feet to raid the chicken coop - so that 
they would not leave a trace.


PROBLEMS: 

All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if eaten, contact with the
foliage may irritate the skin. Plants are effected by 
Southern blight, anthracnose, Fungal leaf spots, 

Digitalis is an example of a cardio-active or cardiotonic drug, in other words
a steroid which
has the ability to exert a specific and powerful action on the cardiac muscle
in animals, and has
been used in the treatment of heart conditions ever since its discovery in
1775.  Over 3 million Medicare beneficiaries were 
estimated to be using  digitalis in 1987. These plants are said to repel deer?


PROPERGATION: 

Seeds germinate in ten days at 65-75F.  ><180,000 seeds per once.  Do not
cover seed, light helps gerimation. Perennials 
species can be divided in spring or midsummer after flowering. 


Below is the current list of plants that I know that are in cultivation. 

Digitalis amandia = D. purpurea
Digitalis amandiana = D. purpurea
Digitalis ambigua = D. grandiflora
Digitalis canariensis = Isoplexis canariensis
Digitalis ciliata
Digitalis davisiana
Digitalis dubia
Digitalis eriostachya = D. lutea
Digitalis ferruginea
Digitalis fontanesii
Digitalis grandiflora
Digitalis grandiflora SUBSPECIES peloponnese
Digitalis kishinskyi = D. parviflora
Digitalis laevigata
Digitalis lamarkii syn  D.orientalis
Digitalis lanata
Digitalis lutea
Digitalis x mertonensis = D.grandiflora x D. purpurea
Digitalis x purpurascens = D. lutea x D. purpurea
Digitalis obscura
Digitalis orientalis = D. grandiflora
Digitalis parviflora
Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis purpurea FORM albiflora
Digitalis purpurea SUBSPECIES heywoodii
Digitalis thapsi
Digitalis trojana
Digitalis viridiflora
Digitalis x grandiflora 'John Innes Tetra'

    Digitalis have a great vertical effect in the garden with classic charm.
The really ornamental forms of D. purpurea are showy 
and put on one of the best floral displays around. D. purpurea has many
different seed strains that have been around for a 
number ot years., these include those listed below.

    Digitalis purpurea  =  A classic BIENNIAL that  grows leaves and roots the
first year and flower the second year and 
then die after setting seed.  Start seeds early so that you get the biggest
plants possible. Or if you want smaller plants start later 
in the year and keep plants crowded. Plant out  in late summer were you want
them to grow or grow them in pots.  Seed 
started in late summer  or fall might not bloom  the next year but the next
year.
This species is very variable with many different forms in the wild , they are
native to South West and Western Europe, are 
hardy in zones 4-8 and grow from 3-6 feet tall.
    D. purpurea tends to have one sided, tall flowering spikes with tubular
flowers of purple, pink or white.  The flowers are 
spotted or blotched inside with maroon or purple. sow annually for yearly
displays, plants some times self sow and some times 
are short lived perennials. cut flower spike off to promote a second weaker
flush of flowering.   This species Make's a very 
showy cut flower. Hummingbirds will feed on them.  flowers from early summer
to mid summer. The true species is pink with 
heavy mottled flowers.  The leaves are wrinkled and softly hairy, large and
broad, Having long stems (petioles) becoming 
sessile (with out stems) as they progress up the flowering  stems.  There are
perennial forms in the wild from south west 
Europe  and Corsica.
For best flower display -water well but do not water log the soil. Plants are
found on acidic soils in woods and on rocky 
slopes.  Plants bloom in June to september.  Plants are easy to grow in all
soils except pure limestone.

Digitalis purpurea (COMMON foxglove)  seed strains. seed germinates in 7-15
days at 70 degrees F. do not cover seed, 
light is helpful to germination. 

Digitalis purpurea form alba or albiflora :Gorgeous white form. 

D. amandiana = This is a form of D. purpurea from Portugal and Spain that has
long lasting pink to strawberry colored 
flowers. Zones (5) 6-9. 

D. purpurea 'APRICOT BEAUTY' = Pastel shades of apricot with some spotting on
3.5 feet to 48"  tall. Makes a nice cut 
flower. zones 4-10. One of the best for the deep south. 325,000 seeds per oz. 

D. purpurea 'DWARF SENSATION' =     Three to four feet tall with three inch
long flowers packed densely into the 
flowering spike. 

D. purpurea? 'CARILLON' = Very dwarf plants growing 16" tall. Plants have
smaller yellow bell shaped flowers. Said to be 
an outstanding smaller garden plant.

D. purpurea 'EXCELSIOR' =    Three to four or even five feet tall with flowers
carried almost horizontal thus revealing the 
showy spottings and dots.  whites, Soft yellow, pinks, darker rose.  great as
a cut flower. zones 4 -8. 180,000 seeds per oz. 

D. purpurea 'DWARF EXCELSIOR' = Sold as a mixture of colors on 20-24" tall
plants.

D. purpurea 'FOXY' =  "All  American Winner" This plant some times acts like a
annual blooming 5-6 months after sowing.   
Plants grow 36" tall and come in shades of carmine, red, pink, creamy yellow
and white. Solid colors with  flowers heavily 
spotted with maroon dots.  zone 4-8, 200,000 seeds per oz. 

D. purpurea 'GLITTERING PRIZES' =  comes in a wide range of colors and grows
4-6 feet tall. zones 4-8. plants have 
spotted and blotched mouths. 

D. purpurea 'GIANT SHIRLY' =     sny p. gloxiniaeflora 'THE SHIRLEY'  Has
huge, long bell shaped flowers of white, 
shell pink, rose and darker rose. Plants grow 3 to 5 feet tall and have
crimson or chocolate spotting. This foxglove is a very 
showy one grown in pots. 

D. purpurea 'GELBA LANZE' = "Yellow Spear"  A form from Europe with pale
yellow flowers. 

D. purpurea 'GLOXINIODES' = Salmon pink, creamy yellow ,purple and pink
flowers that are wide open and have a frilly 
marginated mouth.  Lots of spots and blotches in the mouth of this flower.
Plants grow 5-6 feet tall. 

D. purpurea 'PELORIC' = sny p. campanulata.  Huge open faced flower up to 2"
across growded into a short dense spike. 
said to be some what like a "Canterbury Bell' like bloom.  flowers much larger
but lacking the nice "fox glove" shape. 4-6 feet 
tall.  Zones 4 -8. 

D. purpurea 'SUTTON'S APRICOT' = Has apricot pink flowers. Might be the same
as D. p 'APRICOT" 

D. purpurea subspecies? heywoodii =  Said to be more perennial than most
forms, with soft pink flowers with yellow throats 
and purple spots or flowers in some forms creamy white or even lightly yellow.
30" tall. Native to southern Portugal growing 
on granite out croppings and flowering in June. Leaves very white woolly.
Zones (4)5 -8 . 

 D. PURPUREA subspecies mariana = Plants have white woolly leaves with
purplish pink flowers.  flowers are glabrous 
outside, native to south central Portugal and north east Portugal.  Plants are
found growing on rocky slopes and dry plains. 
flowering in summer. 

Digitalis davisiana = A Perennial  with linear lance shaped leaves.  Leaf
edges finely toothed and leaves hairless and mid 
green in color. Plants have pale yellow flowers that are 1.5" long with orange
veining. Blooming in early summer on 30" tall 
racemes. Native to turkey and hardy in zones 8-10. 

Digitalis dubia = A perennial species with wrinkled, lance shaped, dark green
leaves. Flowers are born on 18" stalks and are 
purplish pink or off white  with lots of spots in side.  flowering in early
summer. Plants are native from Spain.  Zones 8-10. 

Digitalis ferruginea =  (RUSTY FOXGLOVE) dij-i-TAH lis  fe-roo-GIN-ee-a.   A
robust growing biennial or short lived 
perennial from South East Europe to Turkey and Lebanon and the Caucasus.
Growing in open woods and in grassy clearings 
or on rocky slopes and road sides.   Dark green leaves growing in rosettes are
lance shaped.   flowers are golden brown, 1.5 
inches long with red brown veins.  Plants bloom in mid summer. Hardy in zones
(4) 5-7.  Four feet tall and 18 inches wide. For 
well drained dry soils in full sun or part shade. Some strains have reddish
colored flowers. Makes an impressively distinct 
background planting.

D. ferruginea 'Gigantea' - This form has larger flowers that are yellowish
brown and grows to 4-5 feet tall.
D. ferruginea 'Kirk Island' - This plant has pure yellow flowers and grows 3-5
feet tall.
D. ferruginea 'Yellow Herald' - "Gelber Harold". Plants are 4-5 feet tall and
have yellow flowers on sterdy stems. 

 Digitalis grandiflora (YELLOW FOXGLOVE) dij-i-TAH-lis grand-di-FLO-ra   This
plant is clump forming and a short 
lived  perennial or some times biennial.  Leaves are finely toothed with
prominent veins, mostly hairless ( I have had forms with 
densly hairy leaves too) and often glossy. Leaves are also mid green in color
and 5-10 inches long.  flowers are large- about 
1.5 to 2 inches long -  well spaced on the stems and pale yellow in color with
brown veins inside (some forms have no 
veining).  blooming time is early and midsummer. Flowers are downward facing
with wide mouths.  These plants are attractive 
and showy in the open woodland or on a grassy slope.  Many forms are long
lived in the garden.  This foxglove grows 2-3 feet 
tall and 18" wide.  Native to Southern Europe to Siberia and Turkey.  Zones
3-8.  Grow from seeds planted in a warm humid 
container 75F. or make divisions in spring or after flowering.
D.grandiflora 'Temple Bells'  is a larger flowering cultivar of this species. 

Digitalis x grandiflora 'John Innes Tetra' = A cross between  D. lanata and D.
grandiflora. tetraploidy hybrid with nice 
looking foliage and rose colored flowers. 

Digitalis laevigata  = Clump forming perennials native to the western and
Central Balkans. Plants are hairless with odovate 
shaped leaves and mid green colored basal leaves.  flowers are on loose
racemes and are held straight out  horizontally from 
the stems.  Flowers are brownish yellow in color and 1.5 inches long, the
lower lip of the flowers are white in color and reddish 
brown veins and speckles  fill the mouth of the flowers. Flowering occurs in
mid summer on 3 foot tall plants that are 18" wide. 
This species does best on limestone soils and in a open wood land setting.  In
the wild plants from the northern part of it's range 
tend to have larger flowers than the plants from the southern part of it's
range which have flowers  .5-.75 inches long.  Zones 
7-9.
Digitalis laevigata subspecies graeca: Flowers are apricot bronze with white
lips and red veins.  This plant has many smaller 
flowers than the species with fine basal foliage.  30" tall.
Plants are native to Thessaloniki southwards. Plants like a warm well drained
soil. 

Digitalis lamarkii =  syn D. orientalis.  I do not know if this is a valid
species.  Plants are from Turkey and are found growing 
in dry  rocky valleys or in open forest and scrub.  Plants start flowering in
May and can be found blooming till August.  Plants 
rise from a woody rootstock forming a tufted rosette on linear leaves 8" long
0.3" wide.  Plants have leaf like sepals and are 
glandular pubescent. Flowers are 1" long with hairy outsides and are whitish
in color with reddish dots and veins.  Flowers have 
a protruding rounded lower lip and are well spaced on thick stems. 

Digitalis lanata  (GRECIAN FOXGLOVE or WOOLLY FOXGLOVE) A clump forming
biennial or perennial native to 
Italy, the Balkans, Hungary and Turkey.  Leaves are mid green and lance shaped
growing to 5 inches long, hairless on their 
undersides and sometimes white woolly on the veins and having toothed margins.
flowers are born in racemes with leafy bracts 
and are densely packed,  blooming from the bottom up wards.  Flowers are light
or pale yellow cream  or more generally light 
gray-brown or almost white, 1.5 inches long with brown or brown-violet veins
and a lighter colored lower lip.  The lower lip of 
the flower is longer  than other parts of the flower and drops downward.
Flowers woolly pubescent.  Stems are many times 
reddish brown with many leaves.    Plants bloom in mid to late summer and grow
24" tall and 10" wide and are evergreen were 
happy.  This species is the source of a cardiac drug called Lanatacide and
like all other species of Foxgloves- produces other 
glycosides.  Zones 4-9. or 7-9? (I could use some help here?) 

 Digitalis lutea  (STRAW FOXGLOVE or YELLOW FOXGLOVE)  dij-i-TAH-lis loo-TEE-a
Plants have dark green 
glossy leaves that are hairless with serrate teeth.  Stems grow 24" tall and
produce a large number of small light yellow flowers 
that are one inch long.  Plants repeat bloom if dead headed and bloom well in
a semi shady spot.  I like this little plant for it's 
long life and neat tidy appearance with the flowers hanging down from the tall
stems. Plants grow into clumps and have a 
graceful habit.  They bloom in mid summer. This foxglove does well in lime
alkaloid soils but I have had good success in lightly 
acid soils too. The roots of this plant are well branched. Division is easy in
mid summer and so is seed.  Native to south west 
central Europe to Italy and Spain and on the coast of North west Africa.
Zones 3-9.
Digitalis lutea VAR. australis - Has smaller flowers but in most respects is
the same as the species.

 Digitalis x mertonensis = D. grandiflora x D. purpurea. These plants result
from a inter specific cross and are clump 
growing perennials with glossy dark green leaves.  Leaves are prominently
veined and  are toothed. Leaves are 3-12" long and 
have lightly hair undersides.  Flowers are pinkish buff or salmon pink or some
what reddish pink.  Flowers are large and showy 
and stand out. flowers are 2.5 inches long and are born in late spring and
early summer.  flowering stems are up to three feet tall 
and plants grow 12" wide or so.  Plants come true from seed and are of garden
origin.  Plants are a result of a colchicine  
treatment in the mid twenties resulting in a tetraploidy hybrid species. Zones
3-8. 

Digitalis thapsi = Native to eastern Portugal and Spain.  Plants have branched
flowering stems with light purplish pink 
flowers that are pubescent (soft hairs) on the out side. Foliage is dotted
with yellowish glandular hairs. similar to D. purpurea, 
except foliage covered with yellow glandular hairs, thus appearing softly
woolly.

Digitalis x purpurascens =  this plants is a natural hybrid between D.lutea
and D. purpurea. this plant is reported in Belgium, 
Germany and spain.  stems are much branched and growing to 3.5 feet tall.
flowers are 1.5 inches long with wide open 
spreading mouths  and bloom in June to August.  Flower color is light tannish
yellow with a few dots in side. flowers are born in 
tightly packed clusters.
D. 'Glory of Rounday' = A garden hybrid? by D. lutea x D. x mertonensis. this
plant looks like the above plant except it has 
larger flowers. 

Digitalis obscura = Plants are native to eastern to southern Spain and
Northern Africa.  This species is found growing in open 
woods often on limestone outcroppings.  Plants bloom in May to July. Plants
have branched  shrubby stems up to 40" tall. 
Leaves are hairless and leaves are lance shaped with some plants having linear
leaves, gray green in color and entire, 3-6 inches 
long. Flowers are rust brown to yellow, or orange yellow in color.  Flowers
are 1" long and have red veins and red spottings in 
side.   Racemes are nodding at the top. Plants grow from 15" to 50" tall, 18"
wide and bloom in late spring to midsummer.  
Zones 4-8. 

Digitalis parviflora =  "Mahogany Foxgloves" Heavy foliage of ferruginea, but
dense leafy spikes.  This species is a perennial 
from Northern Spain  and grows into nice clumps with Dense racemes of dark
orangeish brown flowers or petite brownish 
purple flowers.  flowers are .5 to .75 inches long and have a purple brown
lower lip. Leaves are dark green, softly hairy, entire 
or slightly toothed.  This species blooms in late spring or early summer.
Plants grow 24" tall and 12" wide. Zones 4-9.

 Digitalis viridiflora =  I would assume that the "Foxglove" flowers of this
species would be green  or greenish yellow in 
color- due to it's name. But I am just making a guess here. 

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