Plant of the Month: Digitalis canariensis (June 2025)

Being the month of June, I am pleased to say that there is plenty of colour in the garden, including Rosa ‘Bobby James’ out in flower, but, the star plant for me is definitely the Canary Island foxglove, Digitalis canariensis.

This is an eye-catching shrub (albeit short-lived) with burnt-orange-apricot foxglove flowers, (flowering since May), supported by strong, upright stems and dark green, serrated-edged foliage.

Seeds were collected from my original plant two or three years ago and propagated by a CABAHS member, several of which germinated. These two resulting specimens are thriving in a six-inch depth terracotta pot (stacked on top of another pot for height), and, apart from the three obvious flowering stems, you will notice from the photo that more buds are developing.

Both plants have obviously very much enjoyed all the warm sunshine we have been experiencing this year (perhaps even hotter than the Canary Islands on occasion?). And adding tomato fertiliser has most definitely helped as well.

A striking companion for the foxglove is Matthiola incana, the highly scented purple (single) stock which has been flowering for the last two months; and the creamy-white perfumed clusters of Dregea chinensis as a backdrop on the wall behind, with Clematis ‘Princess Diana’ adjacent and the deep purple Clematis ‘Polish Spirit’ below.

It does help having a sheltered garden which benefits the plants enormously. If you have a sheltered spot somewhere in your garden, then do consider a rather lovely, soft-burnt-orange pop of colour to provide that special zing amongst all the surrounding pinks and mauves. You will love it!’

Anna L