Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple'

Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple': Royal Spires for the Summer Border

Bold yet refined, Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple' adds a regal note to the early summer garden with its rich, violet-purple blooms marked by heavily speckled, creamy-white throats. Rising in tall, upright spires from compact rosettes of deep green foliage, these bell-shaped flowers attract bees with their open, upward-facing presentation. Blooming in its first year and reaching impressive height in a short span, this fast-growing selection brings both drama and elegance to the pollinator-friendly border.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 75–100 cm
• Spread: 30–40 cm, forming a tidy basal clump
• Flower Colour: Deep purple with speckled cream throats; upward-facing blooms
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer (first-year flowering)
• Foliage: Deep green, lance-shaped leaves in a compact rosette
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; avoid standing water and extreme drought

Uses and Benefits: Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple' is ideal for adding vertical structure, vibrant colour, and pollinator activity to sunny or lightly shaded borders. Its fast-growing nature makes it a favourite for gardeners seeking quick results and bold presence in cottage gardens, naturalistic designs, and cutting beds. While technically a biennial, it often behaves like a short-lived perennial and may self-seed politely in the right conditions.

Companion Plants: Pair Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple' with Salvia 'Violet Riot', whose rich blue-violet spires bloom in unison and create a striking tonal harmony. Add Heuchera 'Silver Scrolls' for its dramatic silver-marbled leaves that contrast beautifully with the foxglove’s vertical form. Complete the planting with Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta', whose dark foliage and vibrant violet-blue flowers echo the intensity of the foxglove while filling in at ground level.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil amended with compost or organic matter. Water regularly during dry periods. Deadhead to encourage prolonged flowering or allow a few blooms to go to seed if naturalizing is desired. Although usually grown as a biennial, it may persist for more than one season in favourable conditions.

⚠️ Caution: Digitalis can irritate skin—handle with care! 🧤 Toxic if ingested—keep away from pets & children! 🐾🚸

History: Part of the popular Dalmatian series, Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple' was bred for rapid growth, early flowering, and a compact yet striking form. Derived from Digitalis purpurea, the common foxglove of European cottage gardens, this modern selection offers all the traditional charm with improved reliability and rich, dramatic colour for contemporary plantings.

Final Thoughts: With its deep, velvety tones and majestic spires, Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple' commands attention without overwhelming. When paired with the saturated hues of Salvia 'Violet Riot', the refined contrast of Heuchera 'Silver Scrolls', and the lush texture of Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta', it creates a vivid and structured garden composition that’s both pollinator-friendly and full of seasonal rhythm. A royal presence for borders that bloom with bold elegance.