Dusty Foxglove

Digitalis obscura (dig-ee-TAH-liss ob-SKEW-ruh)

Family: Plantaginaceae Unknown Shrub (3-15 ft)

Willow Leaf Foxglove is a woody, shrubby herbaceous perennial from Spain that is unmistakable from other foxgloves because of 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. Remove the flower spikes after bloom to encourage a secondary bloom. If the flower spikes are left in place after flowering, the plants may self-seed. The spent flower spikes can become unsightly as the seed develops and many gardeners choose to leave only a few spikes for self-seeding. 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. Genus name comes from the Latin digitus, meaning finger, as some find that the flowers resemble the snipped-off fingers of a glove. Species name means dark or indistinct. Willow Leaf Foxglove is easy to grow in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade. It prefers gritty, well-drained soils and tolerates most soils except wet clay. Wet soils in winter can be fatal. Plant in full or partial sun and water deeply but not too frequently. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Fairly trouble-free, but watch out for southern blight, anthracnose, and fungal leaf spots. Potential insect pests include aphids, mealy bugs, slugs and Japanese beetle.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 61 attributes.