Digitalis lutea

Digitalis lutea (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Plantaginaceae

Digitalis lutea is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with an upright habit. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate with broadly serrate margins, are up to 25cm long, 6cm broad and spirally arranged. Its yellow flowers are tubular, pendant up to 2cm long and arranged on a slender upright stalk. Its fruit is a capsule which releases numerous small seeds at maturity.

Digitalis lutea Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Digitalis lutea, commonly known as the Yellow Foxglove, Straw Foxglove or Small Foxglove, is native to the Mediterranean region and North Africa. In its native habitat it grows in woodland glades, woodland margins and in grassland. All parts of this plant are potentially poisonous.

The etymological root of the binomial name Digitalis is derived from the Latin digitus meaning ‘finger’, referring the shape of the flower. Lutea is from the Latin meaning ‘yellow’.

The landscape architect may find Digitalis lutea useful as part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme, including prairie style planting schemes. This plant is suitable for shady and damp open woodland locations. Once established this perennial will tolerate periods drought.

Digitalis lutea Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Digitalis lutea flowers are attractive to nectar loving pollinating insects.

Digitalis lutea prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Digitalis lutea requires little maintenance. Excessive self seeded seedlings may be removed by hand.