Foxglove 'Berggold'

Towers of magenta pink florets for summer. A terrific option for adding vertical interest. A rare find worth a grow.

These tall, showy, biennial plants are a striking addition to the garden because they add a nice element of vertical colour. Foxgloves, or Digitalis look best grouped toward the middle or back of a bed, where their tall blossoms will create moments of joy.

Foxglove ?Berggold? can happily perennialise, you will need to remove the stems (after the seeds have formed) to help encourage this. It is noted for its vigour and robust nature. Seed can be collected and sown, it is biennial, flowering in its second year.

Foxglove blooms start to open at the bottom of the stalks and gradually move upward, providing fantastic, successive colour over the weeks.

Plant Foxgloves into well drained soil, water in and keep moist in active growth. They should be sheltered from the hot afternoon sun.

Our tip ? if you are keen to cut the flowers and enjoy the best longevity, cut them in the morning, at a time when the florets are one third to half open. Put them into water right away or they tend to wilt.

The individual flowers are about the size and shape of a thimble. Fairies are said to have sewn gloves for foxes from their petals, so they could sneak in and steal the chickens.