'Foxy' Mixed Hybrid Foxglove Plants

Digitalis purpurea Foxy Group

A step-up from the native foxglove, Digitalis purpurea Foxy are short-lived perennials with a range of colours including creamy-white, pink, pale yellow and purple with a deep purple throat blotch. Flowers are carried right around the compact stems, which reach only 70cm from a rosette of hairy, green leaves. 

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Blooming from May-June, they are the perfect pick-up for the late spring/early summer garden, the elegant spires catching the light.

Great In Your Garden...

A mainstay of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as they bloom at the same time, foxglove hybrids are seen in all styles of show gardens now, not just the obvious cottage and naturalistic styles.

Foxgloves are the ultimate plant for hassle-free gardening. As well as growing in partial, dappled and even full shade and most soils - they are woodland natives - plants will also self-seed freely around. For more flowers, remove the spent main flower stem before it can set seed and more blooms will be produced from side shoots. If you want them to self-seed, either leave these alone or collect seeds for colours you like.

The Foxy Group is ideal for the wildlife garden, as flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. As they're so compact, these plants are suitable for large containers on a shady patio.

Features

• Colour: White, pink, pale yellow and purple with a deep purple throat blotch.
• Flowering: May to June.
• Foliage: Mid-green leaves.
• Height: 70cm.
• Spread: 50cm.
• Spacing: 50cm.
• Position: Partial shade, dappled shade and full shade.
• Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam or Sand.

Did You Know...

The toxic foxglove has a host of names in folklore including bloody bells, bloody finger, cow flop, dead man's bells, dog's lugs, dragon's mouth, fairy bells, fairy gloves, fairy's thimble, flap dock, folk's gloves, gloves of Mary, lion's mouth, lustmore, throat root, witches' fingers and witches' gloves.

Caution toxic if eaten
Foxgloves are called digitalis, which is a well-known poison but also is used as a drug for heart problems.

Plant foxgloves in partial/dappled/full shade in any soil type but avoid over dry or waterlogged areas. Add compost to the planting hole, spacing 50cm apart. Water until established. Can be used in large containers.

Feed with general-purpose fertiliser in spring and water in dry spells. Watch out for aphids and powdery mildew. Remove the main stem as soon as flowers fade for the second flush. Self-seeds freely.