Digitalis obscura (Sunset Foxglove)
Digitalis obscura (Sunset Foxglove) is a shrubby perennial boasting lovely racemes of nodding, rust-brown to yellow or orange-yellow flowers with red veins within. Blooming from late spring to midsummer, they rise atop leafy stems clad with lance-shaped to linear, gray-green, willow-like leaves.
Digitalis obscura (Sunset Foxglove) is a shrubby perennial boasting lovely racemes of nodding, rust-brown to yellow or orange-yellow flowers with red veins within. Blooming from late spring to midsummer, they rise atop leafy stems clad with lance-shaped to linear, gray-green, willow-like leaves. The charming blossoms are attractive to hummingbirds, which hover near the tubular blossoms. Long linear-lanceolate, curved, leathery leaves form a basal rosette, which extends to just below the first flowers. Fitting into almost any setting, this is a wonderful addition to the herbaceous border, open woodland gardens and naturalized areas.
- Grows up to 1-2 ft. high (30-60 cm) and 10-18 in. wide (25-45 cm). Self-seeds freely under optimum growing conditions.
- Performs best in full sun to partial shade in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Humus-rich soils are preferred. Deer resistant.
- Easy to grow, Yellow Foxglove is a welcomed addition to beds and borders or cottage gardens. For best visual impact, plant Floxgloves in groups of 3 to 4 plants.
- Cut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage the growth of flowering side shoots.
- Keep an eye out for aphids, leaf and bud eelworm, leaf spots and powdery mildew.
- Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring or propagate by division in early spring.
- Highly toxic by ingestion. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
- Native to Spain.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4 – 8 |
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Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Digitalis – Foxgloves |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late)Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 10" – 2' (25cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18″ (45cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |