Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian' - Foxgloves [British Grown Herbaceous Perennial]

A bright purple flower which grows on tall spikes above tidy clumps of light green foliage. Hardy throughout the UK down to -15°C.

This dwarf variety of foxglove sports stems covered in trumpet-shaped flowers which grow above its foliage; it has bright purple flowers with speckles on the inside and will really stand out in any garden or display. This variety has been bred to be a little more compact, suiting life in a container, and to flower in its first year. In the autumn, the plant will die back to below ground level, but don't be disheartened when it disappears- this plant easily re-seeds and grows back year on year! These stunningly bright spikes of flowers will draw the eye in any garden- and make the biggest impact when planted in a small group of spikes.

Scientific Name
Digitalis purpurea (purple, finger-like plant) 'Dalmatian'

Common Name
Foxglove, Plum Gold Foxglove

Origin
Foxgloves are native to Britain and Western Europe

Pruning Tips
Cut back the flower spikes after blooming to encourage more shoots

Wildlife Value
Pollinating butterflies and bees, especially bumblebees. Good food for moths and moth caterpillars, especially the Foxglove Pug.

Positioning
Full sun to partial shade.

Water
Keep moist- so water the soil in particularly dry weather.

Soil
Soil should be well-draining and moderately fertile

Food
Will benefit from fertilising in the growing season with a fertiliser high in potash, such as tomato fertiliser, especially if you're growing it in a pot.

Pet-safe
No, foxgloves are related to deadly nightshade and are toxic to humans and pets alike. Wear gloves when handling and wash after any contact.

Sprouts Top Tips
This is a dwarf variety, so can be grown as a bedding plant or in a container much more readily than other foxgloves, which need more space and grow much taller. Keep an eye on the plant in summer to make sure the soil stays moist.