Large Yellow Foxglove
Digitalis grandiflora

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Pink, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Digitalis grandiflora is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.9

Where it is found

Woods in mountains and in drier stonier habitats.

Europe to W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The leaves are cardiac, stimulant and tonic. They are often used in the treatment of certain heart complaints.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Landscape Uses: Border, Specimen. An easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, especially if it is rich in organic matter. It also succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant. It prefers semi-shade but succeeds in full sun if the soil is moist. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. A short-lived perennial or biennial. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer and rabbits. Special Features: Not North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Suitable for cut flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow early spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

D. ambigua.