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Conservatory GreenhouseShrubs

Digitalis sceptrum

sceptre foxglove

A tender evergreen shrub, up to 1.8m high, with toothed, ovate to ovate-oblong leaves and racemes up to 13cm long of yellow flowers, netted inside with tawny-brown, in summer

Synonyms

Isoplexis sceptrum

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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: Madeira

How to grow

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow in a sheltered position in a sunny to partially shaded site in well-drained soil; in frost-prone areas, grow in a cool greenhouse with minimum night temperatures of 5-10°C, in medium-fertility, peat-free, loam-based compost, with added sand and leafmould, water plentifully in summer but moderately in winter, and keep plants well ventilated. See foxglove cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 18-24°C in a sandy seed mixture in spring; by softwood cuttings in spring; or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required except deadheading to encourage further flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly but generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal leaf spots, powdery mildews, downy mildews, crown rots and root rots

Get involved

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