Camelot Rose Digitalis is an F1 hybrid foxglove that blooms in its first year from seed, a remarkable feat for a plant traditionally grown as a biennial. This compact variety produces rose-colored spires of delicate flowers, reaching maturity in 120 to 135 days from sowing. Hardy in zones 4 through 8 and frost-tolerant, it thrives in partial shade and moderate moisture, making it an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking reliable color without the two-year wait classic foxgloves demand.
Partial Shade
Moderate
4-8
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The first-year flowering habit sets this hybrid apart from conventional digitalis varieties, which typically require two seasons to produce their signature bell-shaped blooms. Its compact growth form and rose coloring deliver sophisticated garden presence in a single season, while the frost-hardy nature means gardeners in cooler climates can grow this without coddling. As a cut flower, the sturdy stems and vertical flower spikes bring architectural elegance to arrangements, with lower flowers opening progressively to extend vase life through strategic deadheading.
Camelot Rose Digitalis excels as a cut flower for fresh arrangements, where its tall spikes of rose-toned blooms provide structure and color. The progressive opening of flowers from bottom to top means a single stem sustains visual interest across multiple days in water, rewarding the gardener who deadheads spent lower blooms to encourage continued flowering.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds 10 to 12 weeks before your intended transplant-out date. Seeds require light to germinate, so do not cover them; instead, lightly press seeds into moist seed-starting mix or cover very gently with fine vermiculite to hold them in place. Maintain a germination temperature between 60 and 75°F. Seedlings will be ready to transplant when they develop their first true leaves.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings into the garden after the danger of hard frost has passed in your region. Choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Space plants 9 inches apart. Water well at planting and maintain even moisture for the first few weeks as they establish.
Direct seeding is possible only in areas with long growing seasons; sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Press seeds lightly onto moist soil and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs within 2 to 3 weeks at temperatures between 60 and 75°F.
For cut flowers, harvest spikes when the lower third of flowers have opened, which ensures the stem will continue to flower as you enjoy it in water. Cut in the early morning for maximum freshness and vase life. Stems can be cut at any point along their length; doing so encourages branching from lower nodes.
Deadhead spent flowers on the lower third of the spike as they fade to encourage additional blooms higher on the stem, extending the flowering period. Remove entire flower spikes once all blooms have finished to redirect energy toward new growth and secondary flowering.
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