Digitalis x mertonensis

Digitalis can be biennials or short-lived perennials. They form a perfect rosette of simple leaves with bell-shaped flowers. The best-known species is the Common Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, which is regularly grown as an ornamental addition to your garden.

 

It has large, vivid flowers which range in colour from purple tones through to pink, and even to pure white. To make these flowers even more interesting, some have different spots and marks on them. Other favourite species of Digitalis for gardens are D. ferruginea, D. grandiflora, D. lutea and D. parviflora. Digitalis x mertonensis has the tall spike that are typical of large Foxglove flowers but in an unusual, gorgeous, blush-pink shade. These plants grow well, and they look best when placed in similar spots to traditional Foxgloves, such as in woodland clearings or in amongst shrubs and trees. Digitalis can be short lived, often treated as biennials. If you wish to extend their life, you can lift clumps and divide them up each year after they have flowered, but you must then replant in well prepared soil. To keep these plants happy, you want to add a 1-inch layer of compost and spread it all around the plant in early spring; this will help encourage good growth. You need to be careful because excess nitrogen will encourage foliage growth which will limit the growth of the flowers so make sure you fertilise in early spring with small amounts of slow-release fertiliser. Foxgloves enjoy moist soil, but they don’t want to be constantly soaked. During dry periods in the summer, you need supply extra water when there isn’t at least 1 inch of rainfall. However, if the plant gets too much water it can get crown rot which can kill the plant.

 

Once the Foxgloves have finished flowering you should remove any brown parts of the plant by cutting the stem just above the leaves to stimulate new green growth. This plant should not be ingested. These plants are not safe to have around pets and babies.