Digitalis

parviflora

CHOCOLATE FOXGLOVES

No Tas.

Digitalis parviflora
CHOCOLATE FOXGLOVES

Digitalis parviflora is a permanent perennial rather than a short lived biennial.

Chocolate trumpets. Graceful spires spring & summer. Good cut. Copes Full Sun to 1/2 Shade. Hardy in frost, dry, heat. Evergreen perennial. Self-sows. 60cm H x 30cm W.
Not permitted for entry into Tasmania.

Perennial Foxglove adapted to hot & dry

And much tougher than usual Foxgloves, as it is native to hot and dry climates and rocky places in Spain.
The Chocolate Foxglove is a perennial Foxglove, rather than a short lived, self seeding biennial like traditional English Foxgloves.

Refined chocolate spires of Foxes’ gloves

Digitalis parviflora has fine bells of deep, rich chocolate colouring.
But they are very densely packed right up slender, elegant spires.
Though the individual flowers would only make gloves for a very tiny fox – the overall effect is beautiful.
And and eye-catching.

Copes with dry & heat better

The Chocolate Foxglove is found amongst woodland and scrub in Spain, usually on rocky hillsides.
So this hardy perennial is ideal for adding  to a shady corner.
Just plant in a Part Shade to Shaded position, where it can cope with drier conditions than most Foxgloves.
Because it is naturally built to cope with more summer heat and drier conditions than normal Foxgloves, as well as hard frosty winters.

Impressive cut flowers

Harvested stems make impressive cut flowers, with that unique chocolate colouring.
Spires are strongly self supporting in the garden – as well as in a vase.

Cutting for best vase life

So for best vase life – the stems should be cut when about 1/3 of the bells have opened at the base of the spire.
Then they will continue to open up the stem whilst in the vase.

Bees & birds are in bliss

Our native honey-eating birds are in a frenzy of nectar gathering amongst these Perennial Foxgloves, especially with so many bells to visit.
While the bees and pollinating butterflies blissfully forage too.

While rabbits & deer won’t touch with a barge pole

However rabbits and deer give clumps of all Digitalis a wide berth.
They are perfectly aware that eating Foxgloves is toxic.
Though of course when used correctly, Foxglove chemical compounds are the basis of our modern, life-saving heart medications.

Perennial parent plus babies

Digitalis parviflora will self seed with a few volunteer babies, as well as the original perennial clump going on for many years.
It is not invasive or over ambitious.
So let your garden happily go chocolate.

Refined spires 60cm. High x 0.30m. Wide evergreen perennial rosette of foliage, close to the ground.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Sow at any time of year in punnets indoors / or scatter in garden late winter-early spring.

Sow in punnets on surface of good quality seed raising mix. Press gently. Light is needed for germination. Keep moist. 15-20C approx. is best for germination, then most seedlings should emerge in approx. 14-30 days.

SEED COUNT: 100 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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