Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Group
foxglove
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- Seed Packets (only) £2.95
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: Partial shade
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Average to fast
- Flowering period: June to July
- Hardiness: Fully hardy
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 they will perpetuate by self-seeding.
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.
These plants are mainly biennial, although they will often self-seed freely.
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.
- Humans/Pets: TOXIC if eaten