Description
Digitalis parviflora | Chocolate Foxglove
Chocolate Foxglove, also known as Small-flowered Foxglove and Chocolate Milk, is native to Spain and is a beautiful perennial Foxglove that bears dense spikes of small, tightly packed tubular flowers that are copper-orange to chocolate-brown with white or yellow throats on 24-28 inch tall stems that shoot out of dark green glossy foliage in June and early July. This plant makes a striking contrast to brighter flowers in your shade garden or when planted against a dark green background. They Foxgloves look fantastic in the middle to back of ornamental flower beds where their tall flowering spires lift the eye to the back of the garden.
Grows best in moist but drained soil, full sun to part shade and even full shade. Meaning, you can utilize it for a border plant and even into an under-planted woodland. Cut back any spent flowering stems for a second flush of blooms. It may take a year to flower, but being a true perennial, this unusual and rare foxglove will have a long life in your garden by returning the next year and also by self sowing. Start seeds outdoors or germinate them indoors with heat, humidity, and light.
Attractive to butterflies, birds, and bees while deer and rabbits stay away. Bumblebees have a particular affinity for Foxglove because Foxglove has evolved a classic lip for the bees to land on and stamens that wipe pollen on their backs
Digitalis makes long-lasting cut blooms, perfect for tall and impressive arrangements. The trick to getting the longest vase life from a foxglove flower is to get to it before the bees find it. When the flowers are pollinated they drop from the stems, so harvest early when just a few blossoms are open.
*RHS Award of Garden Merit Winner*
Type: Biennial or perennial
Sun exposure: Full shade to part sun
Mature height: 18-28 inches
Mature width: 14-16 inches
Hardiness zones: 4-9
