- Botanical Name
- ‘Gigantea’: Digitalis ferruginea. Chocolate: D. parviflora. ‘Goldcrest’: D. obscura x grandiflora. ‘Pink Panther’, Dalmatian, Polkdadot Series, ‘Berrgold’, ‘Pam’s Choice’, ‘Pink Gin’: D. purpurea. ‘Cafe Creme’: D. lanata. Digiplexis: D. purpurea x Isoplexis canariensis.
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type
- Semi evergreen perennial/biennial. D. parviflora: Herbaceous perennial
- Size (HxW)
- ‘Gigantea’: 90-150cm x 30-40cm. D. parviflora: 60-90cm x 30-45cm. ‘Pink Panther’: 40-80cm x 30-40cm. ‘Goldcrest’: 40-50cm x 30cm. Chocolate, Dalmatian: 30-70cm x 20-40cm. ‘Cafe Creme’ and Polkdadot Series: 60-90cm x 30-60cm. . ‘Berggold’, ‘Pam’s Choice’, ‘Pink Gin’: 90-150cm x 30-60cm. ‘Firecracker’: 40-80cm x 40-50cm. ‘Foxlight Ruby Glow’: 50-60cm x 40-50cm. ‘Falcon Fire’: 80-100cm x 40-50cm. ‘Illumination Raspberry’: 50-90cm x 40-50cm.
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant with the crown at the soil surface and roots spread evenly below (same level as planted in the pot). See above for spacing.
- Soil
- Moderately fertile to humus rich, moist, well drained soil is ideal. Well drained is the most important element.
- Aspect
- Full sun to semi shade. In afternoon sun they will appreciate a little extra water and perhaps some mulch to keep them ship shape.
- Climate
- Cool to Mediterranean
- Frost
- Hardy
- Water
- Water to establish; 4-6 weeks of regular watering. Dry tolerant once established.
- Fertiliser
- Apply a liquid fertiliser two or three times during the growing period. Or add a pelletised slow release in spring.
- Flowering Time
- Late spring to autumn
- After Flower Care
- Remove spent flowers to both tidy and encourage more to grow. Leave the last of the season to seed and for the birds to enjoy. Of course with the added benefit of a few seedlings for you too. NB The Polkadot Series, Pink Panther, Goldrecst and Digiplexis are all sterile so produce no seed, this also means they flower for longer.
- Notes
- Contact with the sap may cause skin irritation and should be avoided, we recommend wearing gloves when pruning. Look out for aphids and control as required. Avoid powdery mildew by watering the soil, not the foliage and providing good air flow, remove affected foliage and treat as required. D. parviflora becomes dormant in winter.
‘Gigantea’, Chocolate and Cafe Creme: To encourage them to be more perennial, just cut the second flower back after blooming rather than allowing it to set seed. If you allow it to set seed, then it will be biennial, so you can regenerate it from seed, meaning it will flower in its second year – it does set viable seed that can be sown in spring, or allowed to fall naturally so they can establish small colonies. Or once you have a colony growing, do both – leave some for the seeds and cut the rest back. Seedlings are easily removed in the unlikely event they are unwanted! It certainly isn’t invasive, more a wonderful surprise when they pop up.
Dalmatian plants flower for approx. 2 years, then they tend to lose vigour and should be taken out, but they are still cheaper and more rewarding than a bunch of flowers, and by that time, the next generation of seedlings will be coming through. Dalmatians will flower from seed in their first year. ‘Pam’s Choice’ ‘Cafe Creme’ are biennial.
