Digitalis lutea
Straw foxglove, Small yellow foxglove
Also known as Digitalis eriostachya
- Height × spread
- 0.8m × 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The strong vertical lines of its flowering spikes, and the small, rather delicate flowers give this plant an air of quiet refinement. It flowers during June with its stout spikes, ornamented by small tapering leaves and close-set with pale yellow pendulous 'thimble' flowers of the classic foxglove. Close observation reveals orange anthers just within the tubular flower, and fine hairs on the lips of the bloom. The lower leaves are handsome, mid-green, long and tapering There may be faint maroon spots within the floral tube. It is an elegant woodland plant that prefers alkaline soil. It will set seed and the original plant should survive for several years.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, plant with caution; Humans: CAUTION toxic if eaten
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring, Summer, Autumn · Planting
Cut faded flower stems
Once all the blooms on the stem have opened and faded, cut the entire stem off.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
More Digitalis
Digitalis
Foxglove
Digitalis grandiflora 'Carillon'
Large flowered yellow foxglove
Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Purple'
Common purple foxglove, Fairy thimbles
Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian White'
Common purple foxglove, Fairy thimbles
Digitalis purpurea 'Pam's Choice'
Common purple foxglove, Fairy thimbles
Digitalis purpurea 'Primrose Carousel'
Common purple foxglove, Fairy thimbles
Digitalis purpurea 'Snow Thimble'
Common purple foxglove, Fairy thimbles
Digitalis purpurea Foxy Group
Common purple foxglove, Fairy thimbles