Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot'
foxglove
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- Standard £5.95
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
Tubular, apricot-pink flowers that are attractively spotted inside their throat with brownish-maroon, form along one side of the impressive spike in early summer. Over a period of several months, they open from the base upwards above the slightly hairy foliage.
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