Mr Fothergill's Foxglove Alba Seeds, Tall and elegant in early summer. Allow plants to shed their seeds to get further plants in subsequent years.

Sow outdoors in a seed bed, 0.5cm deep, directly into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Seedlings appear in 21-35 days. Thin seedlings to 5cm apart when large enough to handle, keep moist and weed free. Plant out to flowering position in autumn, allowing 25cm between plants. Or sow indoors 0.5cm deep, in a tray of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse or on a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Transplant individually when large enough to handle to 8cm pots. (Hold seedlings by a leaf, never by the stem.) Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions before planting out 25cm apart.

• A hardy biennial, flowers the year after sowing
• Cool white spires are wonderfully elegant
• Perfect for the back of shady borders

Sow time: Apr-Jul
Flowering/Harvesting time: May-Jul