Biennial Varieties
These plants have a two year life cycle, setting seed after the flowers.
This section of the family has a large diversity of colour due to their rather promiscuous behaviour both in the wild and in gardens!

There are only two biennial species D. purpurea and D. ferruginea

purpurea f. albiflora (AGM)Classic flowered form pure white flowers, little or no throat markings. 5'

**purpurea 'Suttons's Apricot' (AGM) Salmon coloured flowers. 5'

purpurea 'Campanulata Alba' Rather choice pure white flowers. 4'

purpurea Excelsior Group Unique flowering habit the flowers are produced all around the tall stately stems. Mix of colours with throat markings. 7'

**purpurea 'Giant Primrose' Large blousy pale primrose yellow flowers produced all around the stems. 5' high Stunningly graceful.

**purpurea Giant Spotted Group Mix of colours this variety has very heavily spotted throat interiors. 6' to 7'

purpurea Foxy Group Dwarf growing form which will flower 1st. year from seed in a mix of colours. Reaches 2'

purpurea subsp. nevadensis Recently noted (1986) Dark rosy purple flowers on branching stems. Not as tall as usual. Glaucous grey look to the foliage.

ferruginea Tall stems of densely packed flowers in honey brown, hairy interiors. Branching inflorescence reaching 6' with an attractive winter basal rosette of long dark green leaves deeply veined.

ferruginea 'Gelber Herold' The flowers are more yellow in colour. Like Dijon mustard.

ferruginea 'Gigantea' Generally all round larger form of ferruginea, taller branching stems 7' / 8' and larger base foliage.

Perennial Varieties
These can be found from Portugal to Siberia widely across the Central Balkan area with a large variation in habitat and climate. Because of their wide distribution and other factors flower size and flowering times they do not cross naturally. All the perennial species come true from seed. That is to say they do not hybridise with each other. With the exception of Digitalis lutea which can be the host parent for different flowering hybrids. These are seldom garden worthy but can be attractive for one or two seasons.

davisiana Introduced from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Stoloniferous species. Soft yellow flowers, netted orange. Rare and choice perennial of easy culture 2' Sun average to well drained soil.(Not always available)

**dubia Silvery-grey hairy leaves with pretty pink flowers. Loves the hot sunny spots as befits a Spanish Native. 15"

Two new varieties to look our for:
foxy 'Apricot' A new introduction bred from a purpurea x lutea and being more long lived than originally thought. Sterile like many lutea crosses but easily divided or increased by cuttings. Multiple stems of apricot flowers around 2cm long and slightly thicker than a pencil.

foxy "Pink" The plant differs in that the flowers are dusky pink, an easy to fit colour in most borders. Both like good soils in Sun or light shade and will reach around 3' in flower.

**'Glory of Roundway' Sterile (x mertonensis / lutea cross) Rich apricot-pink flowers produced on multiple spires, attractive foliage . Good as a cut flower. Any soil in sun or part shade. In flower 4' high. Secondary branching flowering stems. Increases readily by division.

grandiflora (AGM) The large yellow flowered foxglove, an easy and versatile perennial species. Often herbaceous in winter. 2' high, average soil in sun or shade. Good for naturalising in wild areas. Repeat flowering.

grandiflora 'Carillon' Like Grandiflora but more compact. Soft yellow flowers. produced intermittently all Summer. No taller than 15". For sun or part shade

'Heywoodii' (sometimes listed as purpurea ssp.heywoodii) The "Silver" foxglove with white flowers and silver hairy leaves. Truly beautiful. In a well drained site in full sun. 18"

lutea Willowy 3' high wands of soft yellow flowers. Small but plentifully produced. A pretty species for naturalising in sun or shade.

**'John Innes Tetra' The sister seedling to x mertonensis and raised at the same time by deliberately crossing lanata with grandiflora. The freely produced well proportioned flowers are yellow marked honey brown. 2' sun or part shade

laevigata Amazing orange yellow flowers netted brown produced on stems 3' high. Leathery foliage forms attractive base rosette in winter. A Southern European species, preferring sun.

lamarckii (sometimes listed as lanata ssp lamarckii although quite distinct) "Orchid like" soft brownish white flowers with a pronounced white lip and linear basal leaves. Very elegant with several wiry flower stems. Sun lover. 2'

lanata (AGM) Orchid like soft brownish white flowers, each with a small lip arranged on a sturdy upright stem. Popular and effective perennial which used to be grown commercially to extract Digitalin. 3'

x mertonensis (AGM) The "Strawberry Foxglove" Individually the largest flowers the colour of strawberry puree. Grows well in average to good soil, not too dry sun or part shade 3' Divide every 2 years or so.

obscura The "shrubby" foxglove a splendid species from Spain. Rust brown flowers with orange striping and red flashes. These freely produced on wiry stems. Sun, good drainage 2'

parviflora (AGM) The "Chocolate" foxglove. A sound perennial producing many spires of small caramac chocolate coloured flowers. Large elongated basal rosette which looks good even in winter. Sun or light shade 3'

thapsi A rare species in cultivation, leaves covered in light golden hairs. Purple flowers, paler in the throat and spotted red within. From Portugal and Spain. 18" Sun or light shade, drained soil.

This list is not complete as there are around 25 different species and varietal forms I have mentioned just a few.

For further information on specific plants not mentioned you can ask for a leaflet to be sent to you, or the full nursery catalogue. This costs £1-00 and can be sent for through the post.

Please send 5 x 2nd. Class Stamps to :
The Botanic Nursery Atworth Wiltshire SN12 8HU