Foxglove Primrose Carousel - Digitalis purpurea seeds

Foxglove 'Primrose Carousel' is a low-growing variety with long clusters of cream-pink flowers with a speckled brown throat.

Digitalis purpurea is the wild species that we encounter in clearings, on the edges of woodlands, or simply along a path when the forest becomes less dense. It is a biennial or sometimes ephemeral perennial plant of the Scrophulariaceae family, forming a basal clump 20 to 40cm (7.9 - 15.7in) wide in the first year. In the second year, it produces tall flower spikes that can reach 2m (6.6ft). Then the plants naturally replace themselves through self-seeding.

The foxglove is easily recognizable by its finger-shaped flowers, a form that has prevailed in its scientific and common names: shepherd's dice, witch's gloves, lady's gloves, finger-flower, etc. The flowers are tubular corollas 4 to 5cm (1.6 - 2in) long, with fused petals, usually pendulous with a slight upward inflection that reveals the throat.

The 'Primrose Carousel' foxglove, belonging to the horticultural series 'Dalmatian', is a shorter variety than the typical variety. Very floriferous, it produces large cream-pink bells with a speckled brown throat from June to September. It blooms from bottom to top and offers its nectar to bees and bumblebees.

At 75cm (29.5in) tall when mature, the 'Primrose Carousel' foxglove is ideal for pastel-colored carpets along borders or for delineating different areas in small gardens. It is not very demanding in terms of soil, although it prefers humus-bearing and moist soils, but it especially dislikes water stagnation. It can be positioned in partial shade on the edges of woodlands, in sparse copses, or in an alpine garden.

The foxglove flower is surrounded by a sulfurous reputation. Used for white or black magic purposes according to legends, all of them are related to digitalin present in all parts of the plant. It has subsequently been found to be a powerful heart tonic still used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Attention, seeds reserved for highly experienced gardeners who are used to sowing very fine seeds. These seeds are as fine as dust, barely visible to the naked eye.