Digitalis

The Digitalis genus includes approximately 30 species of perennial, biennial and annual herbaceous, less commonly semi-shrubby plants with large pyramidal racemes consisting of many tubular flowers of white, cream, pink, purple color with dark characteristic spots inside the corolla. The two-year-old Digitalis purpurea grows up to 1.2-2.0 m in height. Oblong regular leaves pubescent with hairs are colored in an intense green color. In June-July, the flowers located only on one side of the peduncle are purple in hue or red and white in color with spots of purple tones on the inner side. There are varieties with larger flowers than the original botanical species. Marginal apical (located at the top of the inflorescence) flowers of the variety 'Monstera' are very large, erect, with a double corolla. Large-flowered digitalis (D. grandiflora) is a perennial species up to 1 m tall with lanceolate leaves. In June-July, bell-shaped yellow flowers with chocolate-brown spots located on one side of the inflorescences bloom, up to 6 cm long. Perennial yellow foxglove (D. lutea), 0.8-1.0 m high, characterized by smooth stems and leaves. In July, yellow flowers bloom, located only on one side of the raceme inflorescence.

The Digitalis genus includes approximately 30 species of perennial, biennial and annual herbaceous, less commonly semi-shrubby plants with large pyramidal racemes consisting of many tubular flowers of white, cream, pink, purple color with dark characteristic spots inside the corolla.

The two-year-old Digitalis purpurea grows up to 1.2-2.0 m in height. Oblong regular leaves pubescent with hairs are colored in an intense green color. In June-July, the flowers located only on one side of the peduncle are purple in hue or red and white in color with spots of purple tones on the inner side. There are varieties with larger flowers than the original botanical species. Marginal apical (located at the top of the inflorescence) flowers of the variety 'Monstera' are very large, erect, with a double corolla.

Large-flowered digitalis (D. grandiflora) is a perennial species up to 1 m tall with lanceolate leaves. In June-July, bell-shaped yellow flowers with chocolate-brown spots located on one side of the inflorescences bloom, up to 6 cm long.

Perennial yellow foxglove (D. lutea), 0.8-1.0 m high, characterized by smooth stems and leaves. In July, yellow flowers bloom, located only on one side of the raceme inflorescence.

Cultivation

Digitalis is used for planting in the open ground, in borders, mixborders or pots as annuals. It is undemanding to soils, prefers warm, moderately moist areas. Seedlings are planted on a permanent planting site in late August-early September, observing the distance between plants of 30 cm for relatively low species and 60 cm for higher ones. For potting, a mixture consisting of 1/3 of fertile land, 1/3 of fibrous peat and 1/3 of sand is used, adding a complete mineral fertilizer at the rate of 15 g per bucket of soil. In the warm season, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days at the rate of 15 g per bucket. In autumn, the peduncles are completely pruned. Digitalis flowers and leaves are poisonous and have long been used for medicinal purposes.

Digitalis is used for planting in the open ground, in borders, mixborders or pots as annuals. It is undemanding to soils, prefers warm, moderately moist areas. Seedlings are planted on a permanent planting site in late August-early September, observing the distance between plants of 30 cm for relatively low species and 60 cm for higher ones.

For potting, a mixture consisting of 1/3 of fertile land, 1/3 of fibrous peat and 1/3 of sand is used, adding a complete mineral fertilizer at the rate of 15 g per bucket of soil. In the warm season, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days at the rate of 15 g per bucket.

In autumn, the peduncles are completely pruned. Digitalis flowers and leaves are poisonous and have long been used for medicinal purposes.

Location

A light-loving culture, but tolerates shaded areas as well.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to both high and very low temperatures. However, they can suffer from heat and drought when the air temperature is above 30 °C.

Watering

When watering, always maintain moderate soil moisture.

Care

Remove yellowed leaves and faded inflorescences.

Reproduction

Propagate by seed when sowing in late May-early June in a permanent place, practically without burying the seeds (they are small) in loose soil mixed with peat. Less often sow in boxes for growing seedlings; seeds are usually shaded. Shoots appear on the 7th-10th day. After thinning, leave a distance of 30-40 cm between the plants.

Diseases

Foxglove may have leaf spots, which are eliminated with copper-containing fungicides. Root rot and rotting of the peduncle, as well as viral diseases, the symptoms of which are mosaic and twisting of leaves into tubes, are incurable. In this case, the plants are immediately removed.

Acquisition

Potted plants can be purchased at various retail outlets offering indoor and garden plants, best of all in flower nurseries. It is recommended to give preference to garden forms and varieties of purple foxglove with spectacular inflorescences. Seedlings are chosen strong and compact.