Foxglove 'Dalmatian Crème' Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Crème' (Dalmatian Series)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

'Dalmatian Crème' is a compact rosette-forming biennial or short-lived perennial, to 50cm high, with toothed, ovate, dark green leaves. Flower spikes bearing creamy flowers with purple-spotted throats are borne in summer; this cultivar typically blooms in its first year

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Plantaginaceae
- Synonyms
  Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove, Lady's Glove
- Common names
  Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Crème'
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Biennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Cream
- Height
  2 feet (60 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators - The flowers of Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Crème' attract bees and butterflies, which is beneficial for the pollination of nearby plants.
- Ornamental value - With its striking cream-colored flowers, it is highly valued for adding aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Easy to grow - This plant is considered easy to grow in a variety of soil types and climates, making it accessible for many gardeners.
- Seasonal interest - It blooms in late spring to early summer, providing seasonal interest and color to garden spaces.
- Height and structure - This Foxglove adds height and structure to flower beds and borders with its tall, upright flower spikes.
- Cottage garden style - It is ideal for creating or enhancing a traditional cottage garden look.
- Wildlife support - Aside from attracting pollinators, it also provides nectar for hummingbirds and can be part of a wildlife-friendly garden.
- Companion planting - It pairs well with other perennials, providing a backdrop or contrast in mixed borders.
Medical Properties
- Cardiac glycoside content: Foxglove contains substances such as digoxin and digitoxin that can influence heart function.
- Heart rate regulation: The cardiac glycosides derived from foxglove are used to treat specific heart conditions, particularly for slowing and strengthening the heartbeat.
- Heart failure treatment: Compounds in foxglove have been used in medical settings to treat some forms of heart failure under strict medical supervision.
- Arrhythmia management: Medications derived from foxglove are utilized to correct certain types of irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation.
This plant is not used for medical purposes without appropriate medical processing and prescription. Use of the plant itself in an unprocessed form for medical treatments can be highly dangerous and is not recommended.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- As a dye source: Foxglove leaves and flowers can be used to create natural dyes for coloring fabrics and yarns, sometimes yielding subtle green to beige tones, depending on the mordant used.
- In photography: The juice of the foxglove plant has been historically used in the making of certain types of photographic paper, where it alters the sensitivity to light.
- Educational tool: Foxglove is often used in schools and educational workshops to demonstrate plant biology, particularly the way bees pollinate flowers, due to its bell-shaped flowers which are attractive to bees.
- Garden ecology promoter: By planting foxglove, gardeners can help support local bee populations, which are vital for pollinating many different plant species.
- In art and crafts: The striking appearance of foxglove makes it a popular subject for botanical illustration and watercolor painting, inspiring art and craft projects.
- As a plant for thematic gardens: Foxglove can be used in "fairy gardens" or "witch gardens" due to its historical associations with folklore and magic.
- Companion planting: Foxglove can be planted alongside other flowers to create colorful and diverse garden habitats that can encourage beneficial insects.
- Cultural events: Foxglove flowers may be used during festivals or ceremonies that have a floral theme, contributing to the decoration and atmosphere.
- Fodder for discussion in ethical sourcing: Since foxglove is toxic, it often brings up discussions on how to balance garden aesthetics with safety for humans and animals.
- In composting: Although foxglove is toxic, it can be composted as it will break down over time, contributing to a nutrient-rich compost under the right conditions and with proper handling.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Foxglove is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Foxglove is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Healing: Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as Foxglove, has compounds used in heart medications, symbolizing its association with healing and medicine.
- Bewilderment: The speckled appearance of the foxglove flowers is said to represent bewilderment or the ability to astound and perplex, owing to its toxic properties and potent medicinal uses.
- Insincerity: In the Victorian language of flowers, foxgloves sometimes represented insincerity, possibly due to the plant’s dual nature—as both a medicine and a poison.
- Protection: Some folklore suggests that foxgloves are protective against evil influences and are able to ward off harm, possibly stemming from the plant's traditional use in folk medicine.
- Attraction: Foxglove's vivid flowers attract bees for pollination, symbolizing an ability to draw in others and resonate with the beauty one exudes.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Foxglove plants, including the 'Dalmatian Crème', prefer consistently moist but not soggy soil. Water the plant deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which may mean watering once or twice a week, depending on climate conditions and soil drainage. Aim to provide about 1 inch of water weekly, and adjust according to rainfall and temperature, since hot, dry spells may necessitate more frequent watering. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease; instead, water at the soil level. During the winter, reduce watering since the plant's water needs will decrease.
Light
Foxgloves, like 'Dalmatian Crème', thrive best in partial shade to full sun conditions. The ideal location would provide morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day, to protect the plant from the intense heat of midday sun. They can adapt to full sun in cooler climates but should be shaded in hotter areas to prevent scorching.
Temperature
The 'Dalmatian Crème' Foxglove prefers a temperate climate and can tolerate a temperature range from about 40°F to 80°F. The plant can survive brief periods of colder temperatures down to around 20°F but may not survive prolonged freezing. Ideal growing conditions would keep the temperature within the 50°F to 70°F range for optimal growth and flowering.
Pruning
Prune 'Dalmatian Crème' Foxglove to encourage a second bloom and to keep the plant looking tidy. Deadhead spent flowers promptly to prevent self-seeding and encourage more blooms. After the first killing frost, cut back the foliage to ground level. Pruning is typically done after the main bloom period in early summer and again in late fall or early winter.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Foxglove 'Dalmatian Crème' thrives in well-drained, moist soil with a mix of 2 parts loam, 1 part sand, and 1 part compost or peat moss. The optimal pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from pH 5.5 to 7.
Repotting
Foxglove 'Dalmatian Crème' is typically a biennial, so it often does not require repotting as it can be sown annually or allowed to self-seed in the garden.
Humidity & Misting
Foxglove 'Dalmatian Crème' prefers moderate humidity but is adaptable to a wide range of conditions as long as it is not overly dry.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
- Outdoor
  Choose partial shade, moist soil, and shelter from strong wind.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Crème') begins its life cycle when the stratified seeds germinate in spring, after experiencing a period of cold to break dormancy. The seedlings emerge and develop into a basal rosette of leaves during the first growing season, forming a tight cluster at ground level. In its second year, the plant sends up a tall flower spike from the center of the rosette, with tubular, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from the bottom upwards. These flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects, leading to the formation of small capsule-like fruits that contain numerous tiny seeds. Once the seeds are dispersed by wind or gravity, the parent plant typically dies, completing its biennial life cycle. However, if conditions are favorable, the plant may behave as a short-lived perennial, surviving to bloom for several seasons.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to early summer
- The foxglove Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Crème' is commonly propagated by seed. The ideal time for sowing seeds is either spring or late summer to early fall. To propagate foxgloves by seed, one would typically surface sow the very fine seeds onto a well-drained soil mix. These seeds require light to germinate; thus they should not be covered. A temperature range around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 to 21 degrees Celsius) is ideal for germination. Watering should be gentle to avoid disturbing the seeds, and consistent moisture should be maintained until germination, which usually occurs within 2 to 3 weeks. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots or spaced out in the garden.