Foxglove 'Strawberry'

Strawberry Foxglove (Digitalis × mertonensis) is a unique and striking variety with warm, rosy-bronze flowers that resemble the colour of ripe strawberries. The large, tubular blooms are carried on strong, upright spikes reaching 2–3 feet tall, and open from late spring to early summer. With its rich colouring and velvety texture, this foxglove adds an unexpected yet classic touch to borders, bouquets, and cottage gardens.

A naturally occurring hybrid between Digitalis purpurea (common foxglove) and Digitalis grandiflora (yellow foxglove), Strawberry Foxglove blends the best traits of both parents: the bold, showy flowers of purpurea and the perennial tendencies of grandiflora. In many climates, this variety behaves as a short-lived perennial rather than a strict biennial, often blooming again in subsequent years if happy.

Like other foxgloves, it is attractive to bumblebees and other pollinators, while deer tend to avoid it. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, and its tall, elegant spires make it an excellent addition to cottage-style beds or naturalistic plantings.

Germination can be a bit fussy—surface sow and provide light, consistent moisture, and warmth. Transplanting is preferred for best success.

Also known as Digitalis × mertonensis, Merton’s Foxglove, or Strawberry Digitalis.
Caution: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested—keep away from pets and children.
Hardy in Zones 4–8.

Details:
 
QTY: 50

TYPE: Annual/Biennual

SITE: Sun - Part Shade

DEPTH: Surface

GERMINATION: 14-21 days at 18-21°C

HEIGHT: 30 - 40"

SPACING: 9 - 12"

PINCH: No

How To Grow:

Indoors (recommended):
Sow 10–12 weeks before last frost. Do not cover seeds—light is required for germination. Mist or bottom water gently. Keep moist until germination. Harden off and transplant outdoors after last frost. 

Direct seed:
Sow as soon as soil can be worked in early spring, only in areas with long growing seasons. Keep soil evenly moist until established. Blooms appear in the second year. Germination can be tricky.