Digitalis viridiflora
green foxglove
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
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC 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
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Balkans
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. See foxglove cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring or propagate by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back main flower spike as it fades (unless seedlings are required) to encourage the growth of flowering side shoots
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and leaf and bud eelworm
Diseases
May be affected by a leaf spot and powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.