Foxglove Mountains Mixed Seeds - Digitalis purpurea

Foxglove 'Mountains Mixed' is a unique selection from the Kew Urban Garden Collection. It displays beautiful spikes of upward-facing flowers in harmonious shades of purple, light pink, pale yellow, white and cream. Foxgloves are hardy biennials or perennials, producing tall, erect flower spikes covered with tubular flowers above a rosette of deep green leaves. Superb in light shade and woodland gardens in humus-rich, well-drained soils.

Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as Foxglove, is herbaceous biennial plant (perennial if the flower spikes are pruned before seeding). It belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. During the first year, it forms a large 45 cm rosette of coarse dark green leaves, with toothed margins and prominent veins. They are covered in fine, greyish white hairs that give the leaves a soft, woolly appearance. During its second year, in May-June, up to 5 hollow, sturdy stems emerge from the rosette. 'Mountains Mix' grows to about 1.40 cm tall, carrying dense flower spikes made up of numerous upward-facing tubular flowers. The flowers bloom from the base of the spike upwards, attracting honey bees and bumblebees by the dozen. They range in colour from purple, light pink, deep pink, pale yellow, white and cream, often speckled and blotched with purple on the inside.

Foxgloves enjoy dappled sunlight to part-shade and cool, humus-rich soils. They pair well with roses or single-flowered perennials such as columbines, cornflowers, Astrantias or thalictrum. Try growing them in large containers on the patio to make the most of the long-lasting blooms! Foxgloves also fit naturally into woodland gardens alongside perennial geraniums, heucheras and ferns. The tall flower spikes are suitable for cutting and look fabulous in large arrangements.

Digitalis purpurea seeds are best left to experienced, seasoned gardeners as they are extremely small, like fine dust.