Digitalis lutea
straw foxglove
A clump-forming, herbaceous perennial to 60cm with narrowly oval, mid-green, glossy leaves. Dense, leafy spires of soft yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers to 3cm long are produced over a long period in summer
Other common names
small yellow foxglove
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
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–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
- C Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Will grow in almost any soil or situation except very wet or very dry; ideal site is a humus-rich, alkaline soil in partial 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
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Cut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage the growth of flowering side shoots
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and leaf and bud eelworm
Diseases
May be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildews
Get involved
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