Hello Friends!
These striking tall beauties come with a warning. Digitalis purpurea the botanical name for these beauties might be recognised by some. Digitalis is a Heart Medicine, in fact the medicine is derived from none other than our beautiful Foxglove. So if you ingest it in any way, potentially you are having a dose of heart medicine or so the experts say.
Should we avoid Foxgloves, well I say NO! Although we should be mindful of their toxicity and wash our hands, watch the children and pets in and around Foxgloves.
Foxgloves create a tall colourful backdrop for any border. Plant them to create a woodland wilderness, a wild scape or an old style-cottage garden. This biennial or short lived perennial is a superb addition to any garden, they also look amazing in a bouquet, tall vase or an arrangement.
They are strong and easy to maintain with a weekly soaking in the heat of the summer. They enjoy sun, part sun and shade and although prefer acidic soil will happily adapt to most soils. Dead head and prune to encourage growth for the following season.
Now are we Lovers or Haters of Foxgloves?
Well lets thinks of the Bees….
Commonly we find purple Foxgloves. Purple is a favourite colour of the bee. So no surprise the Foxglove is a favourite of our buzzing little friends. With an abundance of tubular bells on each stalk, with a wide open mouth and lip to land on, they’re designed to attract the humble bumble bee. They’re easily found and accessed thanks to them clumping together as they grow.
So, I for one am a lover of the Foxglove, however I am very aware that a Foxglove can travel, with tiny seeds that can be easily carried on the wind we can find them popping up all over the garden, nature strips and the wilderness. If you plan to grow them I say remember to deadhead them before the seeds can drop or plant in containers.
Happy planting from the team @ Flowering Seeds.
