Digitalis parviflora - Foxglove

The Foxglove or Digitalis parviflora is a biennial or short-lived perennial species, which is certainly not the tallest of foxgloves, but which proves to be interesting in a nature inspired garden. In summer it produces, slender and refined spikes, densely adorned throughout their height with small honey-brown flowers, softened by a white down. Its beautiful evergreen and silky rosettes consist of dark green, shiny lanceolate leaves. This uncommon species has the advantage of growing in partial shade, even in dry soil during summer, and does not fear limestone. Moreover, it easily multiplies through self-seeding and dividing the stump in spring.

Originally from Spain, Digitalis parviflora, also known as Digitalis kishinskyi, is an herbaceous plant in the family Scrophulariaceae (Plantaginaceae), a close relative of the purple foxglove that populates our undergrowth. This species is more biennial than perennial, and its flowering height will not exceed 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in). In the first year, it forms a beautiful rosette of leaves measuring 8 to 20 cm (3 to 8in), oblong to lanceolate, entire or slightly dentate, leathery, with a very silky appearance, in a beautiful dark green shade.  From the second year, in June-July, it erects very dense, leafy spikes at the base, like candelabras, adorned with tightly packed, tubular flowers measuring 1 to 2 cm (1in), in a deep orange-brown colour, with a purple-brown lip.  These nectar-rich and nectar-bearing flowers are a constant playground for pollinating insects. The edge of the corolla is covered in tiny white bristles. This foxglove readily self-sows in permeable and light soil.

Some foxgloves are perfectly perennial, while others are more biennial with such a propensity to self-sow that they can be considered perennial. All of them are highly toxic if ingested.  Digitalis parviflora is a very beautiful plant, allowing refined associations such as, for example, with the rose 'Buff Beauty' or 'Ghislaine de Féligonde'. In a more rustic setting, it will accompany fraxinella, the purple toadflax, and mix with Calamagrostis 'Karl Forster' or Stipa gigantea.  It enjoys partial shade or sun, but not too scorching exposure, as well as a light, damp to dry soil. Its rigid and vertical form is irreplaceable in scenes where it compliments and contrasts with the roundness of other plants.