Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Rose' (Dalmatian Series)

RHS Plant Profile
foxglove 'Dalmatian Rose'
foxglove 'Dalmatian Rose' John Fielding
Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

A biennial or short-lived perennial to 60cm tall, with a basal rosette of hairy, ovate leaves with toothed edges. Upright spikes of pale lilac-pink flowers, speckled purple in the throats, are produced in midsummer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in almost any soil, but avoid very wet or very dry positions. Prefers a humus-rich soil in partial shade but will grow in full sun. See foxglove cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in late spring in situ or in containers in a cold frame

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead after flowering unless seed is required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, and to glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly if grown under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildews