Digitalis × valinii 'Firebird'PBR

RHS Plant Profile
foxglove 'Firebird'

Synonyms

Digitalis 'Firebird'

Herbaceous Perennial

An upright perennial with semi-evergreen, broadly lance-shaped leaves. From summer into early autumn, dark stems to 90cm tall bear coppery-pink tubular flowers with soft orange throats

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
2–5 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
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

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

Will grow in almost any soil or situation except very wet or very dry; ideal site is humus-rich soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back the 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