Digitalis canariensis

RHS Plant Profile
Canary Island foxglove

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Canary Island foxglove RHS
Canary Island foxglove RHS

Synonyms

Isoplexis canariensis

Plants for pollinators
Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs
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An evergreen, sparingly-branched shrub, to 1.5m in height, with serrated, oval, dark green leaves. Flowers are foxglove-like with a flattened appearance, reddish-orange or apricot in colour and held on upright spikes to 30cm in length

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Digitalis can be biennials or usually short-lived perennials forming a rosette of simple leaves with bell-shaped flowers in slender, erect, usually one-sided racemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Canary Islands

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full or bright filtered light with low to moderate humidity, during growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly, water sparingly in winter; outdoors, in frost-free climates grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade with shelter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots at 18-24°C in spring, propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9 cut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage the growth of flowering side shoots

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and leaf and bud eelworm

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and leaf spot