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Digitalis obscura

Phonetic Spelling
dig-ee-TAH-liss ob-SKEW-ruh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Willow Leaf Foxglove is a woody, shrubby herbaceous perennial from Spain that is unmistakable from other foxgloves because of its yellowy-orange flowers and darker net-like veining and spots on the inside petals. It blooms spring to early summer and is a good choice for drier climates and poor soils. Remove the flower spikes after bloom to encourage a secondary bloom. If the flower spikes are left in place after flowering, the plants may self-seed. The spent flower spikes can become unsightly as the seed develops and many gardeners choose to leave only a few spikes for self-seeding. The attractive brown and yellow bell-like flowers have upright woody stems and lily-like leaves which are also ornamental. It attracts a variety of hummingbirds and bees. Genus name comes from the Latin digitus, meaning finger, as some find that the flowers resemble the snipped-off fingers of a glove. Species name means dark or indistinct.

Willow Leaf Foxglove is easy to grow in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade. It prefers gritty, well-drained soils and tolerates most soils except wet clay. Wet soils in winter can be fatal. Plant in full or partial sun and water deeply but not too frequently.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Fairly trouble-free, but watch out for southern blight, anthracnose, and fungal leaf spots. Potential insect pests include aphids, mealy bugs, slugs and Japanese beetle.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#shrub#easy to grow#low maintenance#copper leaves#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#vibrant#spring interest#pollinator plant#flowers late spring#flowers early summer#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#shrub#easy to grow#low maintenance#copper leaves#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#vibrant#spring interest#pollinator plant#flowers late spring#flowers early summer#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Digitalis
    Species:
    obscura
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in medicine as a diuretic and to treat heart conditions
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Spain
    Distribution:
    Morocco
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Leaves are highly toxic.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Large, tubular, funnel-shaped, pendulous, rusty dark orange to greenish-yellow 1 1/2 inch flowers with red speckling inside. Blossom from May through June. Flowers are borne in terminal racemes atop leafy flower stalks.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Long, narrow, leathery, gray-green leaves form a basal rosette, which extends to just below the first flowers. Narrow, linear, glabrous, gray-green, willow-like foliage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as xanthopsia (jaundiced or yellow vision) and the appearance of blurred outlines (halos), drooling, abnormal heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness, collapse, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures. Can result in death.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Stems