Straw foxglove

Straw foxglove: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Slender clump of leaf rosettes, with upright flower spikes of 60–70 cm; about 30 cm wide.

Leaves

Narrow and lance-shaped, glossy dark green and hairless, with a finely toothed edge; mainly in a basal rosette.

Flowers

Narrow, tubular bells 1.5–2.5 cm long, pale yellow to creamy yellow, packed along one side of the spike. In June and July.

Fruit

Small capsules holding very fine seed, ripe in August.

Roots

A fine, branching root system; the clump slowly widens with new rosettes.

Flowering: June–July · Sowing: March–April · Plants: March–April and September–October · Pruning: March and July–August

Why grow it?

• A true perennial that lasts for years, unlike the biennial common foxglove.
• Slender, vertical spikes that bring calm and structure to a shady border or woodland edge.
• Bumblebees and other bees visit the flowers.
• Copes better with dry shade under trees and with chalky soil than many other foxgloves.
• The glossy leaf rosette stays green in mild winters.

Straw foxglove: where does it grow best?

• Partial shade or light shade under trees; in full sun the leaves may scorch if the soil is dry.
• Sand, loam or clay, acid to chalky, as long as it drains well.
• Dry to moderately moist; it copes with more drought than the common foxglove.
• Space plants 25–30 cm apart, in groups of five or more for the best effect.
• Do not plant it near a play area or vegetable garden, because the whole plant is highly poisonous.

Light

Partial shade and shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.7 m tall, 0.3 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -35 °C)

Goes well with

• Ferns: Fine green foliage in the same shade, around the slender spikes.
• Hosta: Large leaves that contrast beautifully with the narrow spikes.
• Hardy geranium: Blue or pink flowers at its feet, even in dry shade.
• Greater woodrush: Fine, grassy clumps for a natural woodland edge.
• Nettle-leaved bellflower: Another woodland-edge plant, with blue bells in summer.

Straw foxglove: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–April and September–October.

1. Plant in March–April or in September–October.
2. Loosen the soil and mix in some leaf mould; on heavy clay add some coarse sand as well.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as it was in the pot: the centre of the rosette must stay above the soil.
4. Keep 25–30 cm between plants.
5. Water straight away and during dry spells for the first few weeks.
6. A thin mulch of leaf mould keeps the soil cool, but do not cover the rosette.

Care

Water

Rarely needed once established; only during long dry spells, especially under trees where the soil dries out quickly.

Feeding

Not needed; a thin layer of leaf mould in March is enough.

Deadheading

Cut off spent spikes: smaller side spikes often follow.

Seedlings

It self-seeds moderately. Keep a few seedlings to replace older plants.

Gloves

Wear gloves when pruning and planting, and wash your hands afterwards.

Tip: Plant it in a group in the light shade under trees, where the soil is not too wet. After flowering, cut off the main spike for new side spikes, but never plant it where children play.

Straw foxglove: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and July–August.

When: After flowering, in July–August, cut off the spent spikes. In March, clear away old stems and dead leaves.

How:

• Cut the main spike just above the leaves once most flowers are over; the side spikes then carry on flowering.
• Leave one or two spikes if you want to collect seed or have seedlings.
• Keep the leaf rosette: next year’s flowers grow from it.
• In March, remove old, dead leaves at the base.

Caution: Always wear gloves: all parts, including the sap, are highly poisonous.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Seed

Sow in March–April indoors or in a pot outdoors, on moist seed compost. The seed is very fine and needs light to germinate: do not cover it, just press it in lightly. Plant out in autumn; it usually flowers in the second year.

Division

In March–April or September, lift an older clump with several rosettes and divide it into pieces, each with roots.

Straw foxglove: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −35 °C.

• Very hardy, to about −35 °C: no protection needed in Belgium.
• The leaf rosette stays green in mild winters; leave it in place.
• In wet, heavy soil the crown can rot in winter: make sure drainage is good.

Diseases and pests

• Slugs and snails: They eat young rosettes in spring. Pick them off in the evening.
• Aphids: On the young spikes. Spray off with water; ladybirds help.
• Leaf spot: Brown spots on the leaves in damp weather. Remove affected leaves and give the plants space for air.
• Rot: The rosette rots in winter in wet soil. Plant in a better-drained spot and keep seedlings as a reserve.

Through the year

• March: Clear dead leaves. Plant. Sow indoors.
• April: Sow. Plant. Watch for slugs.
• June: Flowering begins. Bumblebees in the flowers.
• July: Full flower. Cut off spent spikes.
• August: Side spikes in flower. Collect seed.
• September: Plant or divide. Plant out seedlings.
• October: Plant. Leave the leaf rosette in place.

Edible and useful

Not edible. All parts of foxglove are poisonous: its compounds act strongly on the heart. In spring its leaf rosettes are mistaken for those of comfrey or borage; foxglove has soft, finely hairy leaves without prickly hairs or a smell of cucumber. So do not pick herbs for tea near foxgloves unless you are sure. If any is swallowed, call a poison centre (in Belgium 070 245 245) or your doctor at once.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• Digitalis comes from the Latin digitus, finger: the flowers fit over a fingertip like a thimble.
• Unlike the common foxglove, straw foxglove is a true perennial that lasts for years.
• All the flowers hang on one side of the spike, so that from the side the spike looks like a slender flag.