Foxgloves

Two years ago, just for the fun of it, a package of foxglove seeds, digitalis purpurea ‘Apricot’, was picked up at the local WalMart. Lightheartedly tossed into a pot on top of a little vermiculite sprinkled over seed starting mix with a dusting more of vermiculite on top of that, watered and placed on a shelf in the good old greenhouse/sunroom, it was then forgotten.

In a short time, as the orchids were getting their misting,it was noticed that the pot of foxgloves had germinated, it seemed like every single seed had come to life. We had a wealth of foxgloves. Sturdy little guys they were too, being moved to larger quarters, nearly all survived that ordeal. Next stop, out into the garden to grow on until the next year, being biennials. They sprout one year, grow on and then flower the following year. That is their life cycle.

Planted at various spots in the garden, this patch at the base of the shed, facing north at the top of the hill, with excellent drainage performed like champs.

Walking around with the camera, taking pictures of this and that, including the copper praying mantis in the rusty wheelbarrow, the eye is drawn to those scapes at the top of the step stones. Must go up.

Never mind the lovely dianthus ‘Firewitch’ lining the path, or the white and yellow iris in full regalia, the foxgloves are singing their siren song.

Apricot is not really very descriptive of the color, it is more like a pink sea shell interior, but still breathtaking. Foxgloves have been grown in gardens since medieval times with magical lore surrounding them. In researching foxgloves it was learned they have numerous names, many associated with fairies. It was read that planting foxgloves was an invitation for fairies to enter your garden. Very appropriate for our new fairy gazebo complete with bench.

Peeking from behind the shed, they are a vision of startling beauty.

We can’t get enough of them, we want to drink of their loveliness until drunk from it.

Hey now, a rogue purple in the purpurea! It looks good!

Planted along the deck wall with pink and white astilbes, the flowers are at eye level, easy to inspect each ‘glove’ to see what mysteries lie within.

Later in the month of May, as the eryngiums come into their own time in the sun, the seed heads are forming on the foxgloves, to keep us well stocked with the self sown babies. There are many young plants now thriving in the area at the corner of the shed that are the offspring from those shown in this group of photos. In addition a packet of seeds from Thompson and Morgan with the delightful name of Candy Mountain were started and planted out last spring. We should be well stocked with a range of colorful blooms to be photographed and posted about some time in May for your viewing pleasure.

One of the happiest of surprises, an original plant has lived on to bloom again, the brown flower stalk still showing in the center of the lush leaves. As with most flowers, a mass planting is breathtaking. That will be our goal, to grow masses of these most exquisite charmers every year.

Frances