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Herbaceous Perennial

Digitalis lutea subsp. australis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

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

Synonyms
Digitalis micrantha
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
H6
Botanical 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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