Ceratotheca triloba (South African foxglove)

Ceratotheca triloba Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



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Botanical Name: Ceratotheca triloba sir-at-oh-THEE-kah try-LOW-bah Common Name: South African foxglove Genus: Ceratotheca
A rare and graceful beauty, this plant is not a true foxglove, but its flowers are similarly shaped and hang in clusters. They come in shades of white and pink with pale violet stripes highlighting the inner throats. This plant’s soft coloring brings the delicacy typical of spring-blooming plants into the summer garden. The gray-green foliage has a distinctly nutty fragrance and is deer resistant. As a large-scale plant, South African foxglove holds its own when planted among shrubs and is best complemented by plants with deep purple foliage. It also makes a good cutting flower.
Noteworthy characteristics: Delicate, graceful flowers. Aromatic foliage. Good cut flower.
Care: Place plants in an area with well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Plants are extremely drought tolerant.
Propagation: Sow seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost or directly in the garden after danger of frost has passed.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Adaptable
Maintenance Moderate
Tolerance Deer Tolerant;Drought Tolerant
Characteristics Attracts Hummingbirds; Fragrant Foliage; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Fall; Fall; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower; White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower
Style Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Annuals

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