Digitalis Goldcrest - Foxglove

Digitalis 'Goldcrest' is a very recent hybrid foxglove, distinguished by its compact habit and the length of its flowering period. This sterile variety, which does not exhaust itself by producing seeds, blooms for weeks. It flowers from mid-summer to autumn, with spikes of flowers ranging from yellow to apricot and coppery pink, with a yellow throat speckled with pale brown-red. The result of a cross-breeding between a Mediterranean and a Slavic plant, this foxglove is a robust, undemanding, and hardy plant that should be able to adapt to various situations. 

Digitalis Goldcrest 'Waldigone'' is a recently obtained hybrid cultivar in England. It is the result of a cross between Digitalis obscura, a Mediterranean plant with yellow flowers tinged with rust or sometimes pink, and D. grandiflora, native to Eastern Europe, with large yellow flowers. Its first parent passed on its foliage, compact habit, good tolerance to sun and poor soils, a coppery flowering, and the second parent contributed large and open flowers, as well as excellent hardiness. Foxgloves belong to the Plantaginaceae family, formerly known as Scrophulariaceae.

The 'Goldcrest' variety is a perennial, evergreen plant that grows in clumps 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in) in diameter. The plant consists of herbaceous stems with long and slender glabrous leaves, which are a shiny dark green colour. Several slightly leafy flower stems arise from the foliage clump. These stems elongate in late spring and early summer, reaching a height of 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20in).  Numerous widely open tubular flowers appear on these very sturdy stems from July until October. Each flower is adorned with a soft yellow-apricot colour washed with pink and copper on the outside, and reveals a brighter yellow throat dipping into a reddish-brown centre, punctuated with brown spots. This variety produces young rosettes at the base of the mother plant, which can be easily divided for propagation.

The 'Goldcrest' foxglove is an excellent perennial for woodland edges, sunny borders and beds, or cottage gardens. It fits wonderfully well in a natural-inspired setting. Plant it in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary but well-drained garden soil. Its modest size and long flowering period make it an excellent choice for containers and flower pots. Its bell-shaped flowers have a rather soft colour, which some may find a bit dull, but in return, it is easier to pair with other flowers and shrubs in the garden. Pair it, for example, with perennial geraniums, toadflaxes, evening primroses, red hot pokers, asters, centaureas, baptisias, Agastaches from the Kudos series, or fennels for foliage contrast. Also, enjoy its charm indoors by making lovely bouquets.