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Conservatory GreenhouseShrubs

Digitalis canariensis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Canary Island foxglove

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

Synonyms
Isoplexis canariensis
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Brown Orange Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to the UK
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

Get involved

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