Foxy Mix

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Plantaginaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Digitalis

Species

purpurea

Description

Biennial or perennial ornamental herbaceous plant with an upright habit. The long, spiky inflorescences become a landscape focal point in flower beds or borders within mixed arrangements with other flowering species; also suitable for outdoor tubs and pots where it lends naturalness and an English-style accent. Digitalis helps to preserve the biodiversity of the place of use as its summer blooms attract useful insects such as bees. Easy to grow, it requires sunny or partly shady exposures in deep, well-draining soil.

Variety description

Perennial plant with a very conspicuous inflorescence from mid-May to September ideal for flowerbeds. And rock gardens particularly in mountainous areas.

Curiosities and special features

The term Digitalis, first introduced in the 16th century by the botanist L. Fuchs, derives from the Latin digitus or finger in reference to the corolla of the flowers resembling the shape of a finger or thimble; the common name 'Digitalis' was given due to the resemblance of the flowers to the thimbles used by seamstresses.

Origin and distribution

Species native to a geographical area extending from western and south-western Europe to northern Morocco. From the wild form characterised by the purplish-red hue of its flowers, as evidenced by the specific epithet purpurea, the current varieties were obtained by hybridisation, which differ mainly in the height attained and the colour of the inflorescences.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, giving elegance to the inflorescence in which it is grouped.

Leaf

The foxglove has a basal rosette of pubescent leaves, i.e. covered with thick hair, while the upper leaves are lanceolate and toothed. cylindrical at the base

Flowering period

It blooms from late spring to mid-autumn for a duration of 90 to 120 days, bringing colour to your outdoor green spaces for a long time.

Inflorescence

Aspiky inflorescence that gives the plant a primary role in compositions mixed with other ornamental perennials.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, perfectly matching the shade of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.7 to 1 m, ideal for creating landscape focal points.

Lifespan

A perennial plant, the aerial part dries up in winter to reappear during the following late spring.

Where to plant

Suitable for adding a unique accent with high ornamental value to flowerbeds, planters, rock gardens

Stem

The stem is herbaceous; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with a funnel-shaped corolla and petals with an eye. It is arranged in large spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 90 and 120 days. It has sweet notes and is lightly scented, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

The erect habitus is visually reinforced by the large spike-like inflorescence.

Branching

non-branching

PH

It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH, with optimum values between 5.5 and 6.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting, carry out a 20/30 cm deep digging to remove any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky stones, then apply organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and, with the help of a hoe, break up the coarser clods to improve the burial of the fertiliser and obtain greater softness. It is also advisable to distribute professional substrate on the surface to a height of 5/10 cm and level it carefully.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half-shade, full sun, sheltered from intense wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 20 °C. The vital temperature is between -5 and 30 °C

Use

Its scenic inflorescences give it a primary role among herbaceous perennials in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Ahighly hardy variety, it adapts to soil and climatic conditions not always tolerated by other ornamental perennials. Tolerates winter cold, even withstanding temporarily frozen ground.

Soil

The foxglove prefers a medium-textured, well-draining and structured soil for best results in vegetative growth and flowering; for possible use in pots and tubs, choose a high-quality substrate for spring plants, based on peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Cultivation of this foxglove variety is extremely easy, taking on added value.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation tips to help achieve better vegetative growth followed by lush flowering:

Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate moist at all times Can be planted in sunny or half-shaded beds.

Combinations with other plants

It assumes a primary role in mixed compositions with other ornamentals such as Aquilegia, Delphinium, Platycodon, Stachys as well as graminaceous plants, giving the whole a result of elegance and naturalness with high landscape value.

Planting

For transplanting, we recommend an average density of 12 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper development of each individual specimen, allowing it to express its vegetative vigour to the full, thus obtaining proportionate and harmonious final compositions. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar off the soil surface, avoiding completely sinking the lumps. Water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours, but without causing water stagnation.

Pruning

In late autumn, cut off the inflorescences from the base.

Propagation

Foxglove reproduction occurs from seed.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts with optimal sub-acid pH, either manually or by irrigation. When transplanting assist the seedling to ensure proper rooting in the new site. Thereafter always keep the soil or substrate moist but prevent waterlogging resulting in root rot. It is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases.

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out basic fertilisation by burying organic or chemical fertiliser. After rooting, in the spring-summer period, apply a specific liquid fertiliser for flowering plants to the soil or substrate, which should be diluted in the irrigation water without exceeding the doses and frequency. The foxglove fears over-fertilisation in conjunction with water stress from drought and dry spells.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxic if swallowed. Also wear gloves when handling.

Tip

Strong heat with little humidity can impair the vegetation and create burns on the leaves, but not on the flowering bloom. Always keep the plant well watered and fertilised.