Hi Ian I think T & M isn't dispatching until October because it is a biennial and so you plant this year for it to flower next. Van Meuwen is doing a special offer for Guardian readers:

http://www.vanmeuwen.com/vip/guardian-reader-offers/foxglove-illumination/G68903VM

But they too state the plugs will be dispatched in October.

Be warned various GoY members have had bad experiences with T & M

Gosh I am surprised Meadowland as this particular foxglove premiered at Chelsea Flower Show this year. Remember to collect seed or allow to seed as once it has flowered the parent plant will die.

Do you mean perennial Meadowland? Having done a bit more homework you are right. Seems T & M breed back in 2006 so not the 'new' plant claimed by those writing about Chelsea at all.

If you buy from thomson & morgan, you will be lucky if they,re big enough to plant out in october, perennial or otherwise, I was absolutely disgusted with the quality of their plants last year, and will never buy from them again, and when you think about it they overcharge for everything, {presumably to cover their losses when they have to refund the customers who actually complain,}
I let them know in no uncertain terms, exactly what I thought of them, Derek.

Ach Meadowland we all type odd stuff at times - no biggie! As I've said before a good few GoY members are not happy with the quality of T & M plug plants.

Dobbies had loads of them, but I have no idea if you are near one....agree about T&M..rubbish. :(

Yes Ive seen them in Dobbies too Karensusan, so that's either end of the country covered. Might be safe to assume Dobbies are stocking them right through the country, so there you go Ianbeth. Lets hope you can find one.

This stuff about T&M is so sad - years ago they were one of the best.

Yes they were Steragram... times change I guess

Thanks very much to everyone who has commented on my post regarding the new Foxglove - you really are nice people on this website its not the first time that you guys and girls have helped me out - sorry for thew pun that sounds like Jimmy Saville....anyway, I ended up buying Illumination Pink from "dare I say it" T & M ! I phoned about a dozen garden centres and no one had it in stock - they told me that could plant it out when it arrived in October but I'm not convinced that it will survive if I were to plant it out straight away as it is only 4 inches tall ???

I would be very cautious of planting out in October - best wait and see what the plug plants look like first and be prepared to take photos and complain if they are poor quality. Fingers crossed they will be good sturdy plants Ian.

4 INCHES, that,s big for t&m, that will probably be a bit less, and will include the 1 inch deep, {don,t know what to call it, pot, doesn,t really do it,} container? you have been warned, lol, Derek.

Ok, thanks again, I'll just have to wait and see what they look like when they arrive and take it the there...Ian

I bought 3 plugs of 'illumination pink' for £1.99 from T&M on 13th April this year...They are not flowering yet but are big and healthy...It is a perennial and can be split...are hardy too...:>)

I bought a large very bushy plant of Pink Illumination from Peter Barretts Garden Centre, Stockton on Tees, on June 15th 2012. They had dozens in stock. It cost £8.99 but is 2ft 6ins high with at least a dozen new flower spikes emerging. T & M says it is a hardy perennial, but the Gardening Which report [ July ] say they believe it needs protection over winter. I am growing mine in a large pot and will over winter in my cold greenhouse. My large plant is well worth the money. The colour is amazing.

Don't suppose you have any contact details for this Garden Centre ? I've just tried googling it with no success ? thanks, Ian

i bought one at an autumn plant sale in dorset for £4
it is now 4 ft tall and flowering well