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Plant Pick – Foxgloves (Digitalis)
In my mind, not enough people appreciate the humble foxglove. This beautiful and native species to the Europe is an absolutely fantastic variety in the plant world, offering great flutes of flowers which will be loved by insects, especially bees. Their impressive height offers great architectural appeal for gardeners trying to create some drama in borders, and they will grow and flower in most settings as long as they are not too baked by the sun or sat in water.
A Beautiful Display of Foxgloves at the Eden Project’s 2010 Chelsea Garden
In my garden I used a lot of foxgloves, mainly because not only do they grow well but they offer tall spikes of flowers, sometimes up to five feet, early in the year before my summer borders have really got going. I normally plant a group in my fern bed before the other plants really get going, adding to that woodland vibe. Meanwhile, I use a couple either side of path corners, creating that wonderful feeling of envelopment as you pass between the towering spikes to discover the rest of the garden.
They are also an amazing source of nectar for those bees looking to fill their spring hives with food and by offering these native hybrids, you can not only make the early garden shine, but offer a bountiful habitat.
A Hungry Bumblebee Flies in for a Snack
Another benefit of foxgloves is that they are incredibly easy to grow. Plant’s are biennial in nature so they’ll grow quickly in the first year before throwing up their flower spikes the following one. I often find that some of my varieties are actually short-lived perennials, flowering for two or three years before finally going over. They seed themselves very easily, with species happily pollinating each other so that you can get unique hybrids within your very own garden. Plants that no one else in the world has. One word of warning though…they are slightly toxic, so for those with children with eager mouths, it’s best to only grow these in an area where curious fingers can not get to.
Foxgloves Set Seed Easily, Creating Unique Garden Hybrids
Names: Foxglove (Digitalis)
Thrives In: Partial shade is best for foxgloves as they are a true woodland plant. However, they will happily grow in sunny spots as long as the soil doesn’t become too baked.
Yearly Care: In the first year collect and separate seedlings which may have started in the garden. Alternatively sow seeds thinly which have been collected in seed trays. Grow plants on in pots until the autumn of their first year, after which time they can be planted out into their final positions. In their second year, remove dead or browing leaves to keep plants invigorated. Once the flower stalk has set seed, cut right down to the base, leaving the plant in place if you wish to try for another year’s growth.
Growing Medium: Not picky, and as long as soil’s are well drained and moist, foxgloves will thrive.
Stockists: Greenfingers have a gorgeous range of foxgloves, as do Crocus.
Quick Tip: It can be hard to distinguish foxglove leaves from borridge. If the leaf feels velvety it’s our gorgeous foxglove, bristles equal borridge.
6 Responses to Plant Pick – Foxgloves (Digitalis)
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