DESCRIPTION:
This group of perennials is commonly known as Foxglove. Some of these beautiful
plants are found in the woods and near streams of central Europe and some are
found in the woods, scrub, and rocky places in Turkey. These plants grow from
30 inches to 4 feet high with a spread of 1 foot. D. ferruginea forms rosettes
of olive to medium-green, narrowly oval leaves. Its funnel-shaped flowers are
pale golden-brown and white. They are borne in thick, spires in mid-summer.
Although this plant is a perennial, it is short-lived and best treated as a
biennial. D. mertonensis is a very attractive variety that forms basal rosettes
of dark green, lance-shaped leaves. Its tubular flowers grow up to 212 inches
across and are buff-tinted strawberry-pink. They are produced in long, erect
spikes from late spring to early summer. D. grandiflora has mid-green, shiny,
oblong leaves and tubular, 2-lipped flowers in open, erect spikes from early
to mid-summer. They are pale yellow with brown veins.
Foxglove
(Digitalis purpurea)
