Perennial

continued

D. lanata

Small, pale-tan flowers, marked with violetbrown veins, and held on broad spikes, spring from a rosette of dark-green leaves and have a protruding curved, white lip. Covered in tiny hairs. 1m. RHS H5, USDA 3a-9b.

D. lutea

A small foxglove, ideal for containers or the front of a border, with slender spikes of primrose-yellow flowers. Hardy and thrives in sun or shade. Comes true from seed, so good for naturalising. 60cm. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.

D. obscura

Perennial sub-shrub with leathery, deep-green leaves. The orange-to-brown, funnel-shaped flowers are marked in the throat with netted veins and spots. Needs full sun and excellent drainage. 40cm. RHS H3, USDA 4a-8b.

D. parviflora

Compact, with deep-green leaves and slender spikes of bronze-brown flowers. If mainstem is cut back after flowering, further smaller flower spikes will grow. Thrives in sun or part shade. 90cm. RHS H5, USDA 3a-8b.

D. ‘Polkadot Pippa’

A robust plant producing intense rosecoloured flowers, with a golden throat and pointed lip. Flowers from late spring to first frosts. Flourishes in moist, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. 80cm. USDA 4a-8b.

D. purpurea ‘Dalmatian Peach’

This elegant, understated short-lived perennial plant produces small bells of subtle pink around the stems. Ideal in pot or as a companion to pale-blue campanulas. 60cm. USDA 4a-8b.

D. ‘Polkadot Polly’

Another robust plant from the Polkadot series, producing masses of hanging, palepink flowers on willowy stems. A sterile hybrid, it has a long flowering season from early summer onwards. 90cm. USDA 4a-8b.

D. purpurea subsp. heywoodii

A tiny, branching perennial, covered in white hairs, of delicate beauty with silvery-grey foliage, creamy-yellow buds and white flowers. A must for a sunny rock garden or in poor free-draining soil. 45cm. USDA 3a-8b.