Packet Content (approx.): 500 (0.17g)
Digitalis Lutea Foxglove Seeds Charming Spring-Blooming Foxglove
Digitalis Lutea is a quite a different species to the traditional cultivated foxglove, with delicate small flowers; it is an easily grown plant that is reliably perennial. Native to the Mediterranean and to North Africa, it has been cultivated since the 16th century in Britain.
This charming spring-blooming foxglove bears delicate 2cm pale cream-yellow tubular flowers on slender, upright stalks. Growing to just 60cm (24in) in height with a spread of 30cm (12in), the nodding, tubular flowers are borne along one side of the flower stems.
Tolerant of a wide range of conditions, its ideal location would be in part shade in an area rich in organic matter, well drained, moist but not waterlogged. Although it will succeed in ordinary garden soil and will cope in full sun if the soil is moist, once established it is quite drought tolerant. Longer lived than most other foxgloves, it is one of the few perennial species. Hardy to minus 15°C (5°F), if grown from seed, it forms a leafy clump the first season and flowers the second.
Planted with other shade lovers such as Ferns, Hostas and Hellebores, it will add charming beauty to your woodland or shade garden. In partial shade, it assumes a more relaxed and graceful aspect than many other foxgloves, the stems often growing in curvy lines.
Digitalis lutea has a simple elegance that makes up for any lack of size.
Sowing:
Sow indoors: March to May or Sow directly outdoors in May to June or September to October
Sow seeds on the surface of a peaty soil. Do not cover or bury seeds as the seed needs light to germinate, just press seeds lightly into the earth. Keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) they will usually germinate in 2 to 4 weeks at around 20°C (68°F).
Indoors:
Sow in March to May, 10 to 12 weeks before last frost. Sow seed thinly in trays of compost and place in a cold frame or greenhouse. Once germination occurs keep in cooler conditions. Prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays to grow on. Gradually acclimatize to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out once all risk of frost has gone.
Transplant to the flowering position planting 30cm (12in) apart.
Directly:
Sow in May to June or September to October directly in a well prepared seedbed. Sow seed very thinly in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Firm down gently. Keep the plants moist and free of weeds. Thin out the seedlings to 15cm (6in) apart when large enough to handle.
Cultivation:
Foxgloves are biennial which means that plants establish and grow leaves in the first year, it will send up large spikes, then flower and produce seeds in the second.
As a rule, they are hardy plants and can cope with any soil unless it is very wet or very dry. They are fairly disease resistant, although the leaves may suffer slightly from powdery mildew if the summer is hot and humid.
If you cut the stalk down before it goes to seed, it will generally rebloom and, if you wish, you can reseed from the second showing.
Self-sown seedlings producing different shifting, untutored patterns of flowers each year, they can be easily transplanted to the location you want them to bloom. They are best transplanted when the leaves are about 10cm long. Make sure the newly moved plants are watered very well to help them establish.
Regular feeding is recommended.
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