Merton Foxglove

Merton, also known as Strawberry Foxglove, grows to a maximum of 3-4 ft. This foxglove is a short-lived perennial which can be treated in the garden as a biennial. It grows foliage in the first year, and blooms in the second year. Please note that our Merton will be shipped to you in its second year of growth, so you will have blooms!

By letting seeds form, new Merton Foxgloves will self-sow and produce future generations. These new plants can be moved in their first year when they are still small.

Merton Foxglove is the result of a breakthrough in 1928, when a cross between wild biennial foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and perennial foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora) was accomplished in Merton, England.

Perennial expert, Alan Armitage says, "This is one of my favorite plants, and that's quite an endorsement." Merton foxgloves have rosy-colored flowers, rather than the purple of the wild biennial. Many people call them strawberry red. Mr. Armitage calls the color coppery-rose, and says passers-by never fail to notice the beautiful spires of bloom.