Digitalis purpurea Pams Choice - Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea 'Pam's Choice' is a variety of purple foxglove that has a unique flowering. It bears large tubular bells, which are creamy-white with a spotted throat and sprinkled with burgundy-wine. The size and opulence of its flower clusters are fantastic. Like most purple foxgloves, it is a biennial plant that flowers in the spring of its second year, then dies after having abundantly self-seeded.

'Pam's Choice' is a cultivar derived from Digitalis purpurea, a plant of the Plantaginaceae family. This botanical species appreciates the ambiance of the undergrowth, dappled light, and moist, deep and humus-rich soil.

'Pam's Choice' is more of a biennial than a perennial plant, developing from spring onwards a modest-sized rosette, about 30cm (12in) in diameter, with pubescent, dark green, dentate-crenate leaves, the undersides of which are networked and sometimes covered with light, woolly hairs. In the second year, in May-June, up to 5 hollow but strong stems emerge from the rosette to carry a generous floral spike up to 1.2m (4ft) tall, composed of a multitude of tubular and trailing flowers packed tightly together. Each flower is a cream-white bell with lips sprinkled with burgundy-wine, opening to reveal a throat maculated with the same rich colour. The flowering is melliferous and nectariferous. This variety self-seeds faithfully, without difficulty, and without being invasive.

Plant 'Pam's Choice' in full sun or partial shade, in humus-rich and moist soil, in the company of old roses or perennials with simple flowers such as columbines, centaureas, astrantias or meadow rues. This impressive variety will allow you to enjoy its flowering for a long time in a large pot on a patio. This magnificent plant, as sculptural as an acanthus, can also accompany perennial geraniums, heucheras, and the feathery foliage of ferns in light woodland. Make the most of this wonder in your home by creating sumptuous bouquets.