Digitalis

This group of perennials is commonly known as Foxglove. Some of these beautiful plants are found in the woods and near streams of central Europe and some are found in the woods, scrub, and rocky places in Turkey. These plants grow from 30 inches to 4 feet high with a spread of 1 foot. D. ferruginea forms rosettes of olive to medium-green, narrowly oval leaves. Its funnel-shaped flowers are pale golden-brown and white. They are borne in thick, spires in mid-summer. Although this plant is a perennial, it is short-lived and best treated as a biennial. D. mertonensis is a very attractive variety that forms basal rosettes of dark green, lance-shaped leaves. Its tubular flowers grow up to 2� inches across and are buff-tinted strawberry-pink. They are produced in long, erect spikes from late spring to early summer. D. grandiflora has mid-green, shiny, oblong leaves and tubular, 2-lipped flowers in open, erect spikes from early to mid-summer. They are pale yellow with brown veins.

Pot Cultivation

Foxgloves grow best in moist, moderately fertile soil that is well drained. They should be in a spot with mottled sunshine, but they will tolerate sun. D. mertonensis will tolerate dry soil.

Propagation

D. ferruginea should be increased by sowing seeds in the fall. D. grandiflora and D. mertonensis can be increased by sowing seed in the spring and the latter can also be propagated by division after it has bloomed.

D. mertonensis

VARIETIES

• D. mertonensis;
• D. grandiflora;
• D. ferruginea;
• D. lutea;
• D. ambigua.