sceptre foxglove

In frost-free areas, grow in a sheltered position in a sunny to partially shaded site in well-drained soil; in frost-prone areas, grow in a cool greenhouse with minimum night temperatures of 5-10°C, in medium-fertility loam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 2, with added sand and leafmould, water plentifully in summer but moderately in winter, and keep plants well ventilated

No pruning required except deadheading to encourage further flowering

Propagate by seed, sown at 18-24°C in a sandy seed mixture in spring; by softwood cuttings in spring; or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Generally pest-free but may be affected by caterpillars, and by glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly under glass

May be affected by fungal leaf spots, powdery mildews, downy mildews, crown rots and root rots