- Botanical Name
- ‘Cafe Creme’: Digitalis lanata. ‘Berggold’, ‘Dalmatian’, ‘Polkadot Polly’, ‘Pam’s Choice’, ‘Pink Gin’, ‘Pink Panther’, ‘Berrgold’: D. purpurea. ‘Foxlight Ruby Glow’, Digiplexis: Digitalis purpurea x Isoplexis canariensis. ‘Goldcrest’: D. obscura x grandiflora. Chocolate: D. parviflora.
- Plant Type
- Semi evergreen perennial/biennial.
- Size (HxW)
- ‘Cafe Creme’: 60-90cm x 30-50cm. Illumination, ‘Polkadot Polly’: 50-90cm x 40-50cm. ‘Ruby Glow’: 40-60cm. ‘Berggold’, ‘Pam’s Choice’, ‘Pink Gin’: 90-150cm x 30-60cm. ‘Dalmatian’: 50-90cm x 20-40cm. Chocolate: 30-60cm x 20-30cm.
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant with the crown at the soil surface and roots spread evenly below. 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, or provide them a little protection.
- Climate
- Cool to Mediterranean
- Frost
- Fully hardy
- Water
- Water to establish, it takes plants 4-6 wks of regular watering for their roots to penetrate into the surrounding soil and access its moisture. Keep moist in active growth. 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*.
- 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.
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’, ‘Berrgold’ are biennial. * Digiplexis and ‘Goldcrest’ are sterile so will not set seed, they can be divided vegetatively as required. An advantage of sterility is a much longer bloom show.
