Digitalis minor
dwarf Spanish foxglove
A compact, semi-evergreen perennial, to around 30cm high in flower, with a woody base and wrinkled green leaves covered with long silver-grey hairs, mostly clustered at the base of the plant. Upright spikes bearing small, nodding, tubular flowers, usually pink but sometimes white and with purplish spots inside, are produced from spring to late summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink White | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical 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
Correct
- Plant range
- Spain
How to grow
Cultivation
Prefers a sunny, well drained site; perfect for a rockery or alpine house. Needs protection from hard frosts and excess winter wet. See foxglove cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring. Plants can be short-lived for perennials, so raise seedlings periodically to replace older plants
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage more flowers (unless seeds are required)
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, leaf and bud eelworms, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and leaf spot
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