Dusty Foxglove Digitalis obscura
Other Common Name(s):
- 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 perennial foxglove from Spain which is unmistakable from other foxgloves with 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. Tolerates most soils except wet clay.
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. Plant in full or partial sun in lean-to average garden soils and water deeply but not too frequently. Wet winter soils can be fatal. Dead-heading can reduce reseeding.
Fairly trouble-free, but watch out for southern blight, anthracnose, and fungal leaf spots.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Digitalis
- Species:
- obscura
- 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, Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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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
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Spikes of 1.5 inch tubular, burnt-orange flowers with red speckling inside
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Leaves:
- 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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- 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
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as sometimes resulting in xanthopsia (jaundiced or yellow vision) and the appearance of blurred outlines (halos), drooling, abnormal heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness, collapse, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, and even death
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
- Native alternative(s) for Digitalis obscura:
-
Lobelia siphilitica
-
Lupinus
-
Penstemon
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Aesculus pavia
-
Viburnum tinus
- Salvia microphylla
