Digitalis lutea subsp. australis

southern straw orchid
An upright perennial, 60-80cm high, with lance-shaped, bright to deep green leaves. Spires of small, tubular, pale yellow flowers, sometimes with small spots of red, are produced in early to midsummer
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in humus-rich, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil, ideally in partial shade though will tolerate full sun. See foxglove cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring, or by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
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 leaf spot and powdery mildews
Get involved
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