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Digitalis x mertonensis ‘Summer King’ (Strawberry Foxglove)

Strawberry Foxglove 'Summer King', Digitalis purpurea 'Summer King'

Digitalis x mertonensis 'Summer King', Strawberry Foxglove 'Summer King', Digitalis purpurea 'Summer King', Pink floxgloves

Digitalis x mertonensis ‘Summer King’ (Strawberry Foxglove) is a stately herbaceous perennial or biennial boasting upright spires of dangling, crushed strawberry-pink, bell-shaped flowers with maroon spotted throats. Blooming profusely in late spring to early summer, the flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, which hover near the tubular blossoms. Compact, the plant forms a low rosette of ovate to lance-shaped, toothed, glossy green leaves in the first year, bursting into flower the second spring. Showy even when not in bloom, thanks to its foliage that always looks fresh and catches the eyes of the passers-by. Excellent for a mixed bed or an open woodland garden.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (75-105 cm) and 20-24 in. wide (50-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or light dappled shade in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Deer, rabbit tolerant.
  • Easy to grow, this Foxglove is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens or city gardens. For best visual impact, plant Floxgloves in groups of 3 to 4 plants.
  • Propagate by seed, or by division, removing offsets, in spring; it will also self-seed but may not come true unless plants have been grown in isolation.
  • Keep an eye out for aphids, leaf and bud eelworm, leaf spots, powdery mildew, downy mildew, crown rot and root rot.
  • Highly toxic by ingestion. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.

Foxglove: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for foxgloves like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Digitalis
Common names Foxglove, Strawberry Foxglove
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 20" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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Digitalis (Foxglove)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Digitalis obscura (Sunset Foxglove)
Digitalis grandiflora ‘Carillon’ (Dwarf Yellow Foxglove)
Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora (White-Flowered Foxglove)
Digitalis purpurea ‘Sugar Plum’ (Common Foxglove)
Digitalis purpurea ‘Camelot Rose’ (Common Foxglove)
Digitalis x valinii Foxlight™ Plum Gold (Foxglove)

Recommended Companion Plants

Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss)
Geranium ‘Brookside’ (Cranesbill)
Rosa Gertrude Jekyll (English Rose)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

30 Great Perennials for Shade
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Native Plant Alternatives to Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
Foxglove: How to Grow and Care with Success
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Digitalis
Common names Foxglove, Strawberry Foxglove
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 20" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Not sure which Digitalis (Foxglove) to pick?
Compare Now

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