plant of the moment

foxglove

Mittens for foxies, also known as digitalis, are splendidly easy to grow - they are weeds, after all

At this time of year the woodlands are cram-packed with digitalis, better known as the . Not much point, however, in sneaking out with a trowel, because the common-or-woodland pinkish-purple variety is not a kind that turns up at Chelsea. More subtle cultivars in delicate pinks, yellows and mauves are the ones in vogue. Once you have one, you will have more, because they self-seed and spread like wildfire; which is the reason that not so long ago they would often be pulled up as weeds. How things change. Hester Lacey