Digitalis canariensis, or Isoplexis as it is sometimes named, is a real trophy plant that deserves a prime position in the garden. This unusual shrubby, evergreen Foxglove is native to woodlands of the Canary Islands. Given its origins, it prefers a warm, frost free climate but it can be grown successfully in cooler locations if given winter protection. Alternatively, it can be grown year-round in the conservatory, lending its stylish elegance pots or permanent raised beds.

The Canary Island Foxglove is an impressive plant with upright stems throughout summer that rise above a dense mound of serrated, dark-green leaves, reaching well over a metre tall. The slightly flattened, trumpet-shaped blooms are borne in sunset shades of peach, orange and coral that gracefully illuminate a lightly shaded spot with their exotic, warming glow.

This intriguing shrubby plant makes a spectacular feature in slightly acidic sunny borders and dappled woodland areas, or simply as a stand-alone specimen in your favourite patio pot where it can be freely admired.

How to plant:

— Digitalis canariensis are supplied at 9cm root ball plants in autumn for planting between September and December. They are live plants and must be attended to soon after delivery.

— If you can't plant on the day of delivery, unpack on arrival and place root ball in a shallow tray of water positioned in a sheltered spot outdoors and plant within a week.

— Digitalis canariensis is half hardy and does not tolerate being frozen. In frost-prone areas where temperatures fall below 1C, they are best grown in pots which can be moved to a frost free greenhouse or conservatory in winter.

— Digitalis canariensis can sometimes be planted directly into a clear space in a border, providing the soil is rich and free draining and the space is clear of weeds. They are half hardy and require a sheltered position where frost is unlikely to settle. Avoid planting them directly into a space with challenging soil, an area which could soon become over-crowded by more established plants or places which regularly freeze in winter.

— The best option where growing conditions may be challenging for Digitalis canariensis (poor soil, freezing winter conditions), is to pot up your plant in autumn into a 15-20cm pot using multipurpose compost, then grow it on in a sheltered, bright place over winter. If necessary, it can be covered or moved under cover during cold snaps. It can be transferred into a border in spring when more established, it will be ready to transplant once the roots begin to appear through the drainage holes in the pot.

— Plant root balls so that the root system is fully covered in the compost. The buds/crown at the top of the root system should be left just level with the surface. Any young shoots/leaves should be left exposed above the soil surface.

— When planting into a border, choose a very sheltered position in a sunny or lightly shaded spot on slightly acidic, moist, fertile and well-drained soil. Add multipurpose compost to each planting hole to help the new roots grow.

— Allow 50-60cm between each plant.

— Water-in after planting and keep hydrated when in growth, particularly during the first year.

Aftercare:

— Digitalis canariensis is an evergreen, retaining its foliage throughout the winter months.

— Cut back the main flower spikes to just below the lowest flower. This will encourage new flower spikes to develop. In spring, remove any remaining old flower stems from the previous year at the base to allow new growth to emerge.

— This shrubby perennial is half hardy and does not tolerate being frozen. Move potted plants to a frost free greenhouse or conservatory in winter.

— In frost free climates, where plants are grown directly in the ground, they can be covered with a few layers of horticultural fleece on cold nights that dip below 3C.