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Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Middle

Soil

Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Foxgloves are European woodland plants that come in many forms - some dwarf and others very tall, usually in shades of pink and red. Most varieties are biennial, meaning they flower in their second year, before setting seed and dying.

Foxgloves look fantastic in the middle to back of ornamental borders, where their tall flowering spires lift the eye to the furthest reaches of the garden. They're also much prized by bumblebees and other pollinating insects.

Digitalis obscura is a rare perennial foxglove native to the Spanish mountains, bearing rusty orange, bell-shaped blooms with red veining and spotting. It's more drought tolerant than native foxgloves, and is therefore more suited to growing in sunny, dry borders.

For best results grow Digitalis obscura in well-drained soils with a lot of grit, in full sun. If left to seed, plants will gently naturalise throughout your garden.

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyes
Plantyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyes
Pruneyes
Collect seedsyesyes

Digitalis and wildlife

Digitalis is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is not known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Digitalis poisonous?

Digitalis can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
Is known to attract People
People
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
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