Digitalis 'Waldigone' GOLDCREST

This foxglove is a cross between our native large-flowered foxglove (d. grandiflora) whose distribution ranges from eastern France to the Urals, and willow-leaved foxglove (d. obscura) which comes from much drier locations in Spain and Morocco. It was developed by an English breeder and horticulturist David Ralph Tristram at his nursery in Walberton, Sussex, which is why some of his creations bear Walberton in the variety name. He crossbred GOLDCREST foxglove in 2001 and it is protected by the following patents: 29113 (Europe - 2011), 19670 (GB - 2011), and PP20937 (USA - 2010).

GOLDCREST foxglove is a lower growing variety of this popular perennial that offers an exclusive flower color. They are golden yellow with dark orange mesh, broadly bell-shaped but smaller than the large-flowered foxglove, and produced in profusion along light green stems about 50 cm high. Each stem can hold up to 30 individual flowers which open from the bottom up, extending the flowering period to almost 8 weeks from early June till late July.

Thanks to its exceptional color, it blends in perennial borders with other bright coloured plants. It is beautiful in combination with purple sage or deep pink loosestrife and speedwell. If you're making a meadow-like bed that won't be too dry, combine it with gaura, pastel pink coneflowers and steel blue sea holly or corydalis.

The leaves are similar to the female parent (d. obscura) thanks to which it is called willow-leaved foxglove. They are very elegant, narrowly lanceolate, soft, glossy, bright green and slightly serrated at margins. Foxglove is a medicinal plant, but also poisonous. Fortunately, it does not form any attractive berries that would attract children, however, it is not recommended for group plantings near playgrounds, nurseries and similar facilities. This foxglove is a reliable perennial that does not need to reseed to last in-situ.

Foxglove will grow in almost any soil apart from too wet or too dry. In the wild it is found in humus-rich soils in light woods and its margins, which means that it will love partial shade in your garden, or full sun if kept moist. Excess fertilizing may result in production of enormous leaves but no flowers. Hardy to min. -30°C (USDA zone 5) but very likely even more.

Last update 11-07-2024