The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 1 Winter 2012 | Página 12

Winter annuals

Foxgloves
Foxgloves, or Digitalis, are so reminiscent of an English country garden. Reaching
to over half a metre in height, they are best used at the back of borders and as a
backdrop for smaller plants, as their grey green foliage is a perfect foil for the bright,
cheerful cinerarias and pansies. The flowers are bell-shaped, nodding on tall spires in
shades of pinks, creams and white. They will flower from late winter to early spring.

Growing Your Own From Seed
Winter annuals are normally sown from December to March in seed
trays. When a second set of true leaves appear, they are ready to be
transplanted into larger trays.
Once the seedlings are large enough, plant them into prepared beds, rich
in compost with a well-drained soil. The normal spacing for an annual is
approximately 15 cm apart.

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