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Annual Biennial

Digitalis 'Martina'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

foxglove 'Martina'

A biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial, up to 1.2m high, with silvery green leaves and branching stems of sterile pink flowers, spotted inside with maroon outlined in white, over a long period from early summer to early autumn

Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Green Purple Red Pink White Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Purple Red Pink White Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in light dappled shade, for example in a mixed bed or an open woodland garden, or in full sun, and add organic mulch. See foxglove cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in spring; it is sterile so will not self-seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required, but deadheading, cutting down dead flowering stems, will encourage a longer flowering season and encourage growth the following year

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and leaf and bud eelworm

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and leaf spot

Get involved

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