Digitalis x mertonensis

Merton’s foxglove is a garden crossing between d.grandiflora (biennial) and d.purpurea (perennial). Thanks to its second parent it is classified as a short-lived perennial but it is easily reproduced from seeds from which come out true plants with the same features. So make sure to provide some room around the mother plant and do not place any woven fabric near it.

The flowers of Merton’s foxglove are larger than either of its parents, up to 6cm long, funnel-shaped, and clustered densely along the stem. They are pink buff with burgundy red dots margined white and crimson net-like decoration in the throat. Blooming begins in mid June and continues until late July, or if you cut off the main stem immediately after the main flowering a few shorter ones will push up to continue flowering until late summer or early autumn.

Leaves are broadly lance-shaped with a conspicuous tip, mid green, and slightly hairy. Foxglove is a medical plant but also quite toxic. Despite the fact that it doesn’t make any fruit-like looking berries that would attract children it is not recommended for mass plantings near playgrounds, school yards, or kindergartens.

Foxglove will grow in almost any soil apart from too wet or too dry. In the wild it is found in humus-rich soils in light woods and its margins, which means that it will love partial shade in your garden, or full sun if kept moist. Excess fertilizing may cause profusion of leaves but no flowers. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 04-02-2014.