Spice Island

Foxglove

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: species Digitalis grandiflora

Summary: 'Spice Island' has fewer primary shoots than the species D. grandiflora. The plant of 'Spice Island' has more secondary branching than the species D. grandiflora. 'Spice Island' has stronger anthocyanin colouration of the stem than the species D. grandiflora. The leaf of 'Spice Island' is a darker green than the species D. grandiflora. 'Spice Island' has stronger anthocyanin colouration on the calyx than the species D. grandiflora. The corolla of 'Spice Island' is slightly longer than the species D. grandiflora. The flower of 'Spice Island' is more of a yellow brown colour compared to the yellow colour of the species D. grandiflora.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium amount of secondary branching, strong anthocyanin colouration of stem base and nodes, dense pubescence on lateral branches

LEAF: arranged alternately, lanceolate shape, acuminate tip, serrulate margin, cuneate base, dark green colour of upper surface, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper side, no lobing, no petiole

FLOWER: raceme type, light to medium green calyx, strong anthocyanin colouration on calyx
COROLLA: campanulate form, lower lobe white (RHS 155A) with yellow brown to light yellow brown (RHS 163A-B) netting/veins, upper lobe yellow (RHS 9B) with yellow brown to light yellow brown (RHS 163A-B) netting/veins, lateral lobe yellow orange (RHS 14B) with yellow brown to light yellow brown (RHS 163A-B) netting/veins, dorsal surface of corolla tube light yellow brown (RHS 161B) with yellow brown (RHS 164B) netting/veins and brown (RHS 172B) base, strong conspicuousness of veins on inner corolla, moderate density of long hairs on inner surface, strong pubescence on outer surface, anthers yellow after dehiscence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Spice Island' is the product of a planned breeding program conducted by the breeder, Heather Wilson, in Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK. It originated from a cross made in 1995 between the female parent, D. lanata x D. grandiflora variety 'John Innes Tetra' and the male parent, an unnamed selection of D. laevigata. The new variety was discovered and selected in August 1998 in Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK as a single flowering plant based on its upright and sturdy plant habit, short internodes, long flower racemes, and numerous closely spaced flowers.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted in a poly house during the summer of 2007 in St. Thomas, Ontario. Trials included 15 plants of each variety individually grown in 20 cm pots. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety. Colour measurements were made using RHS Colour Chart 2001.

Comparison table for 'Spice Island' with reference variety species Digitalis grandiflora

Corolla length (cm)

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Foxglove: 'Spice Island' (left) with species Digitalis grandiflora (right)

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Foxglove: 'Spice Island' (left) with species Digitalis grandiflora (right)

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Foxglove: 'Spice Island' (left) with species Digitalis grandiflora (right)