A Foxglove With Lipstick?

by Wallace Gardens

Best new (deer proof) plant for the garden….? Here you go!

Digiplexis 'Illumination Flame'

Postcards from the Hedge.

Imagine the perfect non-stop summer bloomer with enormous impact all by itself, which is also deer proof. Meet Digiplexis 'Illumination Flame,' a cross between Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) and Isoplexis canariensis (Canary Island foxglove). This new hybrid blends the qualities of both plants, thanks to the efforts of Charles Valin, plant breeder at Thompson & Morgan. It received the Best New Plant Award at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show (2012), as well as the Greenhouse Grower's Award of Excellence in 2013.

Full story on my blog:

http://wallacegardens.tumblr.com/post/88850291319/postcards-from-the-hedge-a-foxglove-with

a foxglove with lipstick, flowers, gardening, perennials

I love combining coral shades with blue hues. Here: Digiplexis with Balloon Flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus). Both plants bloom at the same time.

Tower of flowers.

Each plant sends out multiple flower stalks like this one for non-stop summer bloom. After each stalk is spent, just cut it down to encourage more flower stalks.

Like a symphony, this plant works in harmony…the flowers on the lower end of the stalk open first, and then slowly open up toward the top. What a show off.