Digitalis 'Dalmatian Rose'

Digitalis 'Dalmatian Rose': A Blush of Romance on Summer Spires

Delicately coloured and irresistibly graceful, Digitalis 'Dalmatian Rose' enchants the early summer garden with soft rose-pink blooms, each bell gently speckled in the throat and arranged in tidy, upright spires. Blooming in its first year, this early-flowering foxglove rises quickly from a neat rosette of deep green foliage, bringing cottage garden charm and pollinator-friendly elegance to sunny or lightly shaded spaces. It’s a romantic and refined performer that blends beautifully into both traditional and modern perennial plantings.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–80 cm
• Spread: 30–40 cm, forming a compact basal rosette
• Flower Colour: Soft rose-pink with speckled, pale interiors
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer (first-year flowering)
• Foliage: Dark green, lance-shaped leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; avoid heavy or dry soils

Uses and Benefits: Digitalis 'Dalmatian Rose' is perfect for borders, pollinator plantings, and romantic garden designs where vertical structure and soft colour are desired. Its compact habit makes it suitable for small gardens and containers, while its quick bloom time provides near-instant impact. Loved by bees and other pollinators, it offers charm, structure, and seasonal colour in one graceful package.

Companion Plants: Pair Digitalis 'Dalmatian Rose' with Geranium 'Max Frei', whose magenta-pink flowers and compact, mounding form echo the foxglove’s tones while adding texture at the base. Add Salvia 'Pink Profusion' for an airy layer of rose-pink flower spikes that bloom in rhythm with the foxglove and draw pollinators all season. Round out the planting with Heuchera 'Toffee Tart', whose warm caramel foliage grounds the soft pinks and creates beautiful contrast.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage longer flowering, or leave a few to set seed if naturalizing is desired. While often biennial, Dalmatian Rose may persist as a short-lived perennial and will gently self-seed under ideal conditions.

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

History: Digitalis 'Dalmatian Rose' is part of the Dalmatian series, a breeding breakthrough known for compact size, early bloom, and first-year flowering from seed. Derived from Digitalis purpurea, this cultivar brings a soft, romantic twist to the traditional foxglove while delivering dependable colour and pollinator support to a variety of garden settings.

Final Thoughts: Subtle, sweet, and seasonally stunning, Digitalis 'Dalmatian Rose' is a refined choice for gardeners who love colour with a soft touch. When combined with the vibrant mounds of Geranium 'Max Frei', the vertical charm of Salvia 'Pink Profusion', and the rich tones of Heuchera 'Toffee Tart', it creates a layered, pollinator-friendly planting that captures the essence of a cottage garden in full bloom. A gentle classic with lasting allure.