Digitalis sceptrum
Sceptred foxglove
Also known as Isoplexis sceptrum
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes an impressive foliage clump of long green leaves with bumpy edges. It bears a columnar flowering spike, superficially like that of the common foxglove. This carries many tubular, pendulous flowers with swollen looking lips. The flowers are coloured a fresh and light citrus orange with fine orange veins netting the flower's interior. It flowers for some weeks from midsummer. The flowers should be removed when spent to encourage a further show. This variety comes from Madeira and is not frost hardy. NOTE: This has recently been allocated to the foxglove (Digitalis) family, it was originally called Isoplexis.
- Flower colour
- Orange
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Walls
- East facing
- 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