Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora
foxglove
- Position: partial shade
- Soil: humus-rich soil
- Rate of growth: average to fast
- Flowering period: June to July
- Hardiness: fully hardy
From early summer, elegant spires arise from the rosette of foliage, bearing white, tubular flowers that open from the base of the stem upwards. Ideal for adding height to a partially shaded border or woodland garden, these short-lived plants will self-seed freely in the right spot, but the resulting plants may produce purple 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.
- Eventual Height: 1.8m
- Eventual Spread: 0.6m