Digitalis parviflora

Perennial of the Plantaginaceae family, endemic to northern Spain, mainly the Cantabrian Mountains and the western Pyrenean foothills, where it occupies rocky meadows, moors, and the edges of open forests, generally between 800 and 1,800 meters in altitude.

It forms a basal rosette of narrow, lanceolate, dark green slightly glossy leaves, from which rise slender, upright stems 40 to 70 cm tall. The floral spike is dense, very full, almost cylindrical, giving it a particularly graphic, slender, and straight appearance.

The flowers are small — the name parviflora announces it without hesitation — tubular, a deep rust-brown to chocolate, with a lighter, slightly reticulated throat. This dark and unusual, almost monochrome hue contrasts sharply with the pastel tones of the more common foxgloves and has earned it growing interest among collectors of rare plants.

In its natural habitat, flowering extends from June to August. In cultivation, it generally occurs in June-July.

It is cultivated in well-drained soil, fresh without excess, rather acidic to neutral, in full sun or light partial shade. Hardy and undemanding, it reseeds modestly and integrates well into rock garden or dry meadow compositions.