Description
Digitalis lutea | Small Foxglove
Small Foxglove, also commonly called Yellow-Flowered Foxglove and Straw Foxglove, has been cultivated in gardens since the 16th century. The plants form leafy clumps their first season from seed and flower during the second year. Each raceme has 15-50 charming pale yellow flowers that are arranged largely along one side. They look striking when planted in partly shaded locations against a dark green background.
Small Foxgloves are hardy, fibrous, short-lived, drought tolerant evergreen perennials. They thrive in sandy, well-drained soil. Full shade to part sun. Typical habitats of naturalized populations include weedy meadows, overgrown thickets, disturbed open woodlands, and the upper slopes of wooded ravines. Small Foxgloves can be distinguished from other Foxglove species by the smaller size of its flowers, and foliage that is hairless, or nearly so.
Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Deer and rabbits stay away.
Its best to direct sow seeds outdoors during late winter/early spring rains, however can easily be started indoor. They will self-sow readily and perpetuate themselves in the garden.
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.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full shade to part sun
Mature height: 2-3 ft
Mature width: 10-12 inches
Hardiness zones: 3-9
