Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group
foxglove
Tall spires of large, well-spaced, tubular flowers in soft shades of purple, pink, creamy-yellow or white, each one with throats spotted maroon or purple, appear from May to July.
These pastel-coloured foxgloves are perfect for the back of a large cottage-style border. Although short-lived, given the right conditions Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group will perpetuate by self-seeding.
These pastel-coloured foxgloves are perfect for the back of a large cottage-style border. Although short-lived, given the right conditions Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group will perpetuate by self-seeding.
How to care for Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group:
Plant into a lightly shaded, well-prepared border or woodland margin with plenty of organic matter (well-rotted compost).
Ensure that the soil is kept moist in summer. After the first flowerspikes have finished flowering, cut them back to encourage sideshoots to develop, which can go on to provide a second flush of flower. Then, when the last of these have died off, cut them all down to the ground. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the plant in early spring.
These plants are mainly biennial, although they will often self-seed freely.
Ensure that the soil is kept moist in summer. After the first flowerspikes have finished flowering, cut them back to encourage sideshoots to develop, which can go on to provide a second flush of flower. Then, when the last of these have died off, cut them all down to the ground. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the plant in early spring.
These plants are mainly biennial, although they will often self-seed freely.
Sowing instructions:
Lightly press the seed onto the surface of a well-watered seed compost in mid to late spring and keep in a cold frame.
When large enough to handle, pot on into individual cells and once they have developed a decent basal rosette of foliage they can be hardened off before planting out. They will usually start to flower in their second year.
When large enough to handle, pot on into individual cells and once they have developed a decent basal rosette of foliage they can be hardened off before planting out. They will usually start to flower in their second year.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
2m
Eventual spread:
0.6m
Position:
Light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
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Humans/Pets: TOXIC if eaten
9cm pot
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3 × 9cm pots
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6 × 9cm pots
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approx 1000 seeds
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1
