Geranium_gem's Garden
Digitalis purpurea 'Alba'
Genus: Digitalis.
Species: Digitalis purpurea.
White foxglove.
Biennial.
Sun or shade (prefers semi-shade).
Height: 90-120/150cm.
Spread: 60cm.
Sow May-July under cover or direct. Self-sows. Final thinning distance 45cm. Plant out late summer/early autumn. Flower production 2-3 months (May - July). Pick the top king flower out and you will promote production of more prince flowers.
Hardy, semi-evergreen.
Sowed from seed 7 July 2012.
Tips and Warnings:
- The soil should be acidic, deep, moist, humus-rich, and well draining. Try to replicate woodland conditions, although some of the smaller foxgloves can be grown as flower borders. Full sun or partial shade works for foxgloves. Semi-shade is important the hotter your garden climate is.
- Keep an eye on growth strength. Some of the taller foxgloves may need staking as they grow.
- Water well during the spring and while actively growing.
- Apply a liquid fertiliser two to three times as they are growing.
- If you are growing white foxgloves, keep them apart from coloured ones, as they will cross and the white flowers will disappear.
- They self seed freely but some will revert to the wild colour form. Pull out any seedlings with red stems if you want them to remain pure.
- Foxgloves like nitrogen rich soil and cool humid climates.
- Cut the flower stalks off foxgloves as soon as the last flowers on the spike are dead, but before they set seed.
- Pruning: Cut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage a second flowering. Dead-heading will also help avoid problems with numerous seedling.
- Foxglove is poisonous to pets; don't grow it if you have curious chewing pets, or grow it out of their reach.
- All parts of foxgloves contain dangerous alkaloids. It is not to be consumed.
- Foxgloves are toxic, so always wash your hands after handling.
- Dry shade can cause disease and pest problems for foxgloves.
- For the vase: As you cut put them in a deep bucket of warm water and leave for several hours before arranging. They will then last over a week. Remove any flowers hanging by the stigma.
