Digitalis × mertonensis

foxglove

• Position: full sun to partial shade
• Soil: moist, humus-rich soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: May to June
• Flower colour: carmine-pink
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Towering spikes of large, dusky, carmine-pink tubular flowers appear in May and June above conspicuously veined, dark green leaves. This foxglove is a real showstopper and looks wonderful planted in bold drifts towards the back of the border in partial shade. Although it will grow in the sun, the soil needs to remain reliably moist over summer.
  
  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 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the plant in early spring.
  
  These plants are mainly biennial, although they will often produce plenty of new side shoots and self-seed freely if happy in their location.