Biennial Flowering Plant
Camelot Lavender Foxglove brings stately elegance to spring and early summer gardens with its tall spikes of lavender-colored tubular flowers reaching 3 to 3.5 feet tall. This cultivar thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 4 and colder, blooming from March through August and attracting pollinators while remaining deer resistant. Growing this biennial requires patience, as it establishes roots the first year before putting on its spectacular floral display the second, but the reward is a commanding presence that commands attention in any garden bed.
Full Sun
High
4-4
42in H x 24in W
Biennial
High
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Lavender foxglove flowers rise on sturdy stems throughout the spring and summer months, creating vertical interest that few other perennials can match. The plant's deer resistance and ability to attract pollinators make it a functional beauty, while its cold hardiness through zone 4 means northern gardeners can grow it reliably. The biennial cycle requires forethought, but once established, these foxgloves self-seed generously, creating drifts of color year after year.
Camelot Lavender Foxglove serves as a dramatic focal point in cottage gardens and mixed borders, where its towering spikes provide vertical accent among lower-growing perennials. The flowers are excellent for fresh cutting, particularly when harvested in the morning as the petals open, and a few drops of bleach in the vase will extend their vase life considerably.
Start seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your last spring frost in a germinating mix. Surface sow and press seeds in lightly, then cover with a light sprinkling of vermiculite or use a humidity dome to retain moisture. Maintain temperatures between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit; seeds will sprout in 7 to 20 days. Some sources indicate germination occurs between 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 to 15 days with light coverage.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last spring frost has passed, spacing plants 1 inch apart in full sun. Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to their permanent garden location.
Direct sow seeds after the last spring frost until early summer. Sow on the soil surface, press in lightly, and keep soil moist until germination. Be aware that direct-sown plants will establish their root system the first year and bloom the following year.
For fresh-cut flowers, harvest in the morning when flowers are at their freshest and petals are just opening. Cut with a clean knife that has been dipped in a solution of 10 percent household bleach to prevent disease transmission. A few drops of bleach added to the vase water will prolong the flowers' beauty.
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