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

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