Digiplexis 'Illumination Flame' fuses superb foliage, color

Digiplexis showcases the verdant, textured foliage of Digitalis purpurea and then marries the spectacular orangish-apricot flowers of isoplexis to the pinks of digitalis, creating in the process a breathtakingly beautiful hybrid.

The variety that first hit the market, now called 'Illumination Flame,' received the Best New Plant Award at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show in 2012 and the Greenhouse Grower's Award of Excellence the next year.

Three-foot-tall spikes of 2-inch tubular, hooded flowers are adorned outside with rich fuchsia-pink tones, while the throats are a glorious golden-apricot with subtle lavender streaks on extended lower petal lobes.

In the milder zones of our Bay Area it will stay evergreen so it can be employed to add textural foliage to a bed.

Water twice weekly to get established then cut back on the water, depending on whether it's in the ground, the size of the container it's in and how much heat it's exposed to.

Pests & diseases Digiplexis is hardier than its digitalis parentage, so is less prone to rust and fungal spotting.