Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot'
foxglove
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moist, humus-rich soil
- Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
- Flowering period: June to July
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Stately spires of tubular apricot flowers appear in June and July held above rosettes of large, hairy, dark green leaves. This unusual, apricot-coloured foxglove looks marvellous dotted through the back of a cottage-style scheme or for adding height and drama to a shady border. Flourishing in sun or shade, it makes an excellent companion for plants with purple or plum foliage or flowers.
All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested and contact with the foliage may irritate skin. - Garden care: Ensure that the soil is kept moist in summer. After flowering cut back the flowered spikes to encourage more sideshoots. Cut down to the ground after flowering. Apply a generous 5-7 cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the plant in early spring.
These plants are mainly biennial, although if happy they will produce plenty of new sideshoots and self-seed freely.
- CAUTION toxic if eaten
Campanula glomerata 'Superba'
clustered bellflower
Rich purple flowers in June
Aconitum napellus
monkshood
Gorgeous deep blue flowers glow in the shade
Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant'
bugle
Handsome evergreen ground cover
Aster × frikartii 'Mönch'
michalmas daisy
Lavender-blue, daisy flowers
Cotinus 'Grace'
smoke bush
Fiery autumn colour
Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosomultilobum'
soft shield fern (syn. Plumosum Densum)
Perfect for a shady border
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