DIGITALIS pur. Dalmation Purple

Overview and Key Features

Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Purple' is a stunning and early-flowering foxglove cultivar from the renowned Dalmatian Series, bred for uniform growth, first-year flowering, and compact habit. It produces tall spires of rich purple blooms with characteristic deep purple speckling in the throat—creating an eye-catching vertical element in cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces, or shaded borders.

This variety is a short-lived perennial or biennial, typically flowering in its first year from seed, unlike traditional foxgloves. The Dalmatian series is also more uniform in height and form, making it ideal for mass planting, pots, and landscape design.

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Spread: 30–45 cm

• Flowers: Rich purple with dark spotted throats

• Bloom time: May to July (occasionally again in autumn)

• Habit: Upright, compact spire

• Type: Biennial or short-lived perennial

• Hardiness: RHS H4–H5 (hardy to -10°C to -15°C)

• Pollinator-friendly: Especially attractive to bumblebees and long-tongued bees

• Toxicity: All parts are poisonous if ingested; wear gloves when handling

---

Light and Soil Requirements

‘Dalmatian Purple’ thrives in moist, well-drained soil in partial shade, but it is more sun-tolerant than some other foxglove types. It performs well in both traditional garden beds and modern planting schemes.

Light Conditions

• Partial shade is ideal, especially in hotter climates

• Tolerates full sun in temperate areas if soil remains moist

• Avoid planting in full, dry shade as it may inhibit flowering

Soil Preferences

• Prefers humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil

• Grows well in neutral to slightly acidic conditions

• Enrich soil with compost or leaf mould at planting time

• Avoid heavy, waterlogged areas and very sandy soils

Planting Tips

• Plant in spring or early autumn for robust flowering

• Space plants 30–40 cm apart for airflow and visual effect

• Works well in drifts, mixed borders, or as a feature in shady beds

---

Maintenance and Ongoing Care

Watering

• Water regularly, especially in dry conditions and while establishing

• Keep soil evenly moist, particularly in the flowering season

• Water at the base to prevent mildew on foliage

Feeding

• Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring as new growth begins

• For container plants, feed every 2–3 weeks during bloom season with a liquid feed

Pruning and Deadheading

• Deadhead spent flower spikes to prolong blooming

• If left to go to seed, it may self-sow, ensuring future generations

• Cut back flower stalks after bloom if not saving seed

---

Winter and Lifespan Care

• Typically grown as a biennial, though in mild climates it may live longer

• Fully hardy across most of the UK and Ireland

• In late autumn, tidy up spent foliage and mulch lightly

• Allow some flower stalks to set seed if naturalising is desired

---

Garden Uses and Companion Planting

‘Dalmatian Purple’ is especially well suited to cottage garden borders, wildlife gardens, or naturalistic plantings where vertical drama is desired. Its strong colour pairs well with paler or silver-foliage plants.

Best Uses

• Cottage-style gardens and perennial borders

• Shaded garden corners

• Wildlife or pollinator beds

• Containers and mixed planters

• Cut flower arrangements

Companion Plants

Great alongside:

• Aquilegia, Alchemilla mollis, and Geranium 'Rozanne'

• Campanula, Salvia nemorosa, and Nepeta

• Delphiniums, Heuchera, and Ferns

• Cool-toned grasses like Stipa tenuissima or Festuca glauca

---

Key Benefits

• Early flowering in first year, ideal for seasonal colour

• Rich purple blooms with dramatic speckled throats

• Compact, tidy habit perfect for modern or traditional gardens

• Bee magnet—especially beneficial for early pollinators

• Easy to combine with a wide range of garden perennials

Standard Delivery per parcel*	€7.95
* parcels up to 30kg or within dimensions volume
* free delivery over €250 on standard items (excludes large/bulky items)
* multiple purchases qualify for combined delivery
For large items please ring us on 069-64084 to discuss delivery.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

 

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

 

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.