Yellow foxglove Digitalis grandiflora
ABOUT
Digitalis grandiflora, widely known as yellow foxglove, is a flowering plant characterized by its showy and elegant flowers. The appearance of this plant features a rosette of downy, oblong leaves that are a rich green color and arranged in a basal formation at the base of the stem. The leaves are typically veined and form a textured surface. The most notable feature of the yellow foxglove is its striking flowers. The blossoms are tubular and bell-shaped, with a slight flare at the mouth, giving them a distinct and graceful appearance. They are arranged in a one-sided terminal spike, blooming progressively from the bottom up. Each flower is a pale yellow hue, often with a warmer tone inside, and can display light brown to purple spots or marks in the throat, which add to their ornamental appeal. The flowers are surrounded by ovate to lance-shaped sepals, and the entire flower cluster is held aloft by a sturdy, upright flowering stalk that emerges from the plant's center. After the blooming period, the flowers give way to capsules that contain numerous small seeds. The overall impression of yellow foxglove is one of classic beauty with a naturalistic charm. Its subtle color palette allows it to blend harmoniously into a variety of garden settings, making it a popular choice among gardeners who aim to create a cottage garden feel or who are cultivating a space designed to attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Yellow Foxglove, Large Yellow Foxglove, Great Flowered Foxglove
Common names
Digitalis ambigua, Digitalis orientalis, Digitalis grandiflora subsp. kurramensis, Digitalis grandiflora subsp. grandiflora.
ToxicityTo humans
Yellow foxglove is considered to be toxic to humans. All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides, which can affect the heart. Ingesting even small amounts of yellow foxglove can lead to severe poisoning. Symptoms of yellow foxglove poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, stomach pain, dizziness, vision changes, and confusion. The most dangerous effects involve the heart and can lead to irregular heartbeats, cardiac arrhythmias, and potentially heart failure. In severe cases, poisoning can be fatal if not treated promptly and properly.
To pets
Yellow foxglove is also toxic to pets. As with humans, all parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides that can severely affect the cardiac function of the animal if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness, collapse, and possibly seizures. Cardiac effects might present as an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, which can be life-threatening. Pet owners should be cautious and prevent their pets from accessing or ingesting this plant to avoid toxic effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds beauty to gardens with its tall spikes of large, yellow-cream flowers.
- Attracts Pollinators: Draws in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential for pollination.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and food sources for various small wildlife, particularly insects.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, the plant is drought-resistant and requires minimal care.
- Long Blooming Period: Flowers for an extended period from early to mid-summer, providing long-lasting garden interest.
- Perennial Growth: Returns year after year, thus reducing the need for annual replanting.
- Erosion Control: The plant's root system can help stabilize soil and protect against erosion.
- Drought Tolerance: Can survive in dry conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
Medical Properties- Cardiotonic: Digitalis grandiflora contains cardiac glycosides which have a positive inotropic effect on the heart, increasing the force of contractions.
- Antiarrhythmic: The glycosides found in the plant have the potential to treat certain heart arrhythmias by modulating the electrical conduction system of the heart.
- Diuretic: It can increase urine production, indirectly relieving symptoms of conditions like heart failure where fluid overload is a concern.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye production: Digitalis grandiflora can be used to produce varying shades of green when used in textile dyeing processes.
- Educational use: This plant is commonly used in botany classes to teach students about plant morphology and the life cycle of perennial plants.
- Garden aesthetics: As an ornamental plant, Digitalis grandiflora adds height and visual interest to flower borders and woodland gardens with its tall spikes of yellow flowers.
- Ecological studies: The species provides a useful case study for ecological research, particularly in studies of pollination biology due to its tubular flowers that attract bees.
- Photography: With their striking appearance, the flowers of Digitalis grandiflora are often photographed and used in botanical and naturalistic photo collections.
- Companion planting: Gardeners may plant digitalis grandiflora near roses and shrubs to provide color contrast and attract pollinators to other plants in the garden.
- Wildlife habitat: The plant can be included in wildlife gardens to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, which are drawn to its nectar-rich flowers.
- Soil improvement: When the plant decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil, improving its structure and fertility over time.
- Watercolor painting: The unique hues of Digitalis grandiflora flowers are often used by artists as subjects for botanical watercolor paintings.
- Traditional crafts: Some cultures may use the dried stalks of Digitalis grandiflora incorporated into traditional weaving or as a natural embellishment in homemade crafts.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Yellow Foxglove is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Yellow Foxglove is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: The Digitalis grandiflora, commonly known as Yellow Foxglove, has been used historically for its medicinal properties, particularly for heart conditions, symbolizing the capacity for healing.
- Toxicity: Despite its medicinal uses, Yellow Foxglove is toxic if consumed in large quantities, representing the dual nature of many plants as both healers and poisons.
- Pride: The tall, striking blooms of the Yellow Foxglove stand proud and upright in garden settings, symbolizing self-confidence and pride.
- Insincerity: In the Victorian language of flowers, foxgloves were sometimes associated with insincerity, perhaps due to the contrast between their beautiful appearance and their toxic nature.
WaterThe Yellow Foxglove should be watered regularly to maintain moist soil, particularly during its growing season in spring and summer. It requires watering once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions; in hotter, drier periods it might need more frequent watering. When watering, apply water directly to the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to minimize the risk of disease. Each watering session should thoroughly saturate the soil to a depth of at least an inch. On average, you should aim to provide the plant with about 1 gallon of water per week, adjusting as necessary for rainfall and temperature conditions.
LightThe Yellow Foxglove thrives best in partial shade to full sun. It generally prefers to receive morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. The ideal spot for this plant would be an east or northeast-facing garden that gets the soft morning light and is protected from the intense afternoon heat.
TemperatureYellow Foxglove can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but grows best in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 40°F, while temperatures above 80°F may stress the plant. Ensure that it's shielded from extreme cold by providing mulch during winter in cooler regions.
PruningPruning the Yellow Foxglove should be done to remove spent flower spikes after blooming to encourage further flowering and to prevent self-seeding if not desired. Pruning can also include thinning out crowded shoots in early spring to promote air circulation. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilYellow Foxglove thrives best in a well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. The ideal soil pH for Yellow Foxglove should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A suitable soil mix can consist of equal parts garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand to ensure good drainage.
RepottingYellow Foxglove usually does not require frequent repotting as it is a perennial plant that can be left undisturbed for several years. Generally, repotting every 2 to 3 years is sufficient unless the plant shows signs of distress or outgrows its container.
Humidity & MistingYellow Foxglove is adaptable to a wide range of humidity conditions and does not require a specific humidity level. As a garden plant, it's often sufficient with the natural humidity found outdoors without the need for additional humidity control.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temps, and moist, rich soil.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleDigitalis grandiflora, commonly known as yellow foxglove, begins its life cycle as a seed, often requiring stratification (cold treatment) to break dormancy. Once germinated, the plant develops a rosette of leaves in its first year, focusing on vegetative growth. In the second year, it produces a tall flower spike adorned with large, pendulous, yellow flowers that are tubular and spotted inside, attracting pollinators like bees. After pollination, these flowers develop into seed capsules, which, when mature, release numerous small seeds to propagate the species. This biennial or short-lived perennial plant may die after setting seed, but it often produces offsets or new rosettes that continue the life cycle. The plant prefers well-drained soil and partial shade and is cold hardy, allowing it to return annually in suitable climates through self-seeding or perennial growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The most popular method of propagating Digitalis grandiflora, commonly known as yellow foxglove, is by seed. Propagation is best done in the spring when soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently to facilitate germination. To propagate yellow foxgloves by seeds, one should sow the seeds on the surface of a well-drained seed-starting mix as they require light to germinate. These seeds can be gently pressed into the soil but should not be covered. The soil should be kept moist but not wet, and the seeds typically germinate in two to three weeks when kept at around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 18 to 21 degrees Celsius). Once the seedlings have developed true leaves and are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots to grow on before eventually being planted out into their final positions in the garden after the risk of frost has passed.
