Foxglove ‘Café Crème’

Digitalis lanata

Features

  • Medium producer
  • Suitable for partial shade
  • Toxic

Description

This pollinator-friendly plant is smothered in creamy, hoodlike blooms brushed with golden mustard-yellow and intricately detailed with chocolate veining. Dark, upright stems look as if they are covered in miniature lady slipper orchids—the effect is absolutely mesmerizing. A long-lasting cut that’s perfect for bouquets. Flowers later than most purpurea varieties.

Please note: All parts of foxglove are poisonous, including the seeds. Use caution around children and pets.

Details

Plant type: biennial
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: suitable for some degree of shade
Days to maturity: 330 to 360 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Sow seed from late spring to early summer and plant seedlings in the garden at least 6 weeks before your first autumn frost. Plants will overwinter in the garden and bloom the following spring. Seeds are very small; bottom-watering is recommended until plants emerge.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when just a few bottom blossoms are open, before the bees pollinate the flowers. Expect a vase life of 6 to 8 days.

Details

Description

This pollinator-friendly plant is smothered in creamy, hoodlike blooms brushed with golden mustard-yellow and intricately detailed with chocolate veining. Dark, upright stems look as if they are covered in miniature lady slipper orchids—the effect is absolutely mesmerizing. A long-lasting cut that’s perfect for bouquets. Flowers later than most purpurea varieties.

Please note: All parts of foxglove are poisonous, including the seeds. Use caution around children and pets.

Details

Plant type: biennial
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: suitable for some degree of shade
Days to maturity: 330 to 360 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Sow seed from late spring to early summer and plant seedlings in the garden at least 6 weeks before your first autumn frost. Plants will overwinter in the garden and bloom the following spring. Seeds are very small; bottom-watering is recommended until plants emerge.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when just a few bottom blossoms are open, before the bees pollinate the flowers. Expect a vase life of 6 to 8 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Winter Mini Course

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.