Yellow foxglove
Digitalis grandiflora · Plantaginaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant yellow foxglove: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, light green
- Flowering
- June to August
- Adult size
- 60 to 120 cm in height
- Growth
- Medium to fast
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, moist during growth
- Exposure
- Part shade to partial sun
Care
Exposure
Plant your large-flowered foxglove in part shade or in non-scorching sunlight, especially in warm regions. It tolerates light shade well under trees with airy foliage. Avoid locations too exposed to drying winds.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during active growth, particularly in summer. Water sparingly in winter when the plant slows down. Prefer moderate, regular watering to a single heavy watering.
Soil
Prepare soil rich in organic matter, well-drained but retaining slight moisture. Amend with compost when planting. Avoid heavy, compacted soils that promote root rot.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when vegetation starts. Reapply once in early summer if the plant seems to lack vigor. Annual feeding is usually sufficient for good flowering.
Pruning and cutting
Remove faded flowers as they appear to extend flowering and prevent self-seeding if desired. In late autumn, cut the plant back to ground level after foliage disappears.
Diseases and pests
Foxglove fears powdery mildew in humid, stagnant conditions: ensure good air circulation. Watch for slugs and snails that damage young shoots. Excess winter moisture can cause rot; improve drainage if needed.
Did you know?
The large-flowered foxglove inspired 18th-century pharmacists: it was by observing traditional healings that a Scottish physician isolated digitalin, the active substance that revolutionized the treatment of heart failure. This discovery, one of the most important in modern pharmacology, proves that careful observation of nature remains an inexhaustible source of innovation.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.