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The Illumination Series of foxgloves is an impressive addition to our range of hardy perennials and a fine example of the plant breeder’s art and science. Created by Thompson & Morgan plant breeder Charles Valin , who earlier this month was awarded the RHS Cory Cup, the Society’s award for excellence...
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One of last year’s outstanding new perennials was Digitalis ‘Illumination Pink’ , the Chelsea Flower Show Plant of The Year for 2012 . This unexpected hybrid between our familiar biennial foxglove and a rare perennial relation from the Canary Islands, originally known as Isoplexis canariensis , was deservedly...
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Every few years a new series of foxgloves comes along, each said to be better than the last. The Dalmation Series really does look to be an improvement, with some lovely colours and the ability to flower just a few months after sowing. And, as the name indicates, all are beautifully spotted. Dalmation...
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The winner of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year award is Digitalis Illumination. In second place came Dianthus Memories and in third place came Hyacinthus orientalis 'Royal Navy'. I have to say that I’ve been enthusing about Thompson & Morgan ’s Digitalis Illumination ('Tmdgfp001'...
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We’ve seen some fine new foxgloves in the last year or two but this one is even more special as it brings together two species into a dramatic perennial that’s never been available before. Digitalis ‘Illumination’ combines the familiar purple colouring of our native foxglove with the rich orange colouring...
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Here's a run down of the six new plants posts featured here on the RHS New Plants blog December. Two new epimediums: Now available Two impressive new hydrangeas: From the RHS Online Plant Shop Linaria ‘Peachy’: New from Special Plants Digitalis Polkadot Series: New hybrid foxgloves from seed Five...
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Hybrid foxgloves, like the recently introduced ‘Goldcrest’ , are well known for their long and prolific displays of flowers. Now Charles Valin, the plant breeder at Thompson & Morgan, has created a whole series of them which are raised easily from seed - the Polkadot Series. Reaching about 1m/40in...
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At the end of last year, on New Year’s Eve in fact, I highlighted some perennials to watch for this year, some exciting newcomers to look out for in nurseries and garden centres in 2010. So, have they arrived, are they available yet? Over the next few weeks – interspersed with news of other new plants...
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For two years running, unusual foxgloves in a similar vein have been stars at the Chelsea Flower Show. This year it was ‘Serendipity’, last year it was ‘Pam’s Split’. Both have flowers which are split into segments instead of formed into a tube. Both are delightful. The flowers of ‘Serendipity’ are basically...
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Every year Peter Seabrook of The Sun arranges for some new plants to be at the Chelsea Flower Show . Mostly, instead of rare and esoteric wonders of wild places or flights of the plant breeders imagination these are practical garden centre plants, often for patios and small gardens - plants you'll...
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Foxgloves are always a feature at the Chelsea Flower Show . Their elegant upright habit, their long spikes flowers of course their delightfully speckled flowers often make impressive features both on the show gardens and in the Floral Pavilion. Back in 2002 Hillier Nurseries launched an unusual new foxglove...
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