Foxglove - a funny name for a plant, isn't it? However, its Latin equivalent- Digitalis purpurea- implies murky fingers, and dark red ones. Fortunately, it does not say a word about how much toxic they are. Leaves of foxglove plants contain potent chemicals used in pharmacy to prepare medicine helpful to control the heart rate. Of course, no-one can do it on their own by simply eating the leaves, it is too dangerous (by the way, they must taste awful). But everyone can and should have several foxglove plants in their garden to admire the tall stalks adored with hanging tubular flowers looking like thimbles. Their colour vary from pure white to pink and purple hues. And the "throat" of each thimble can be nicely spotted like the skin of an exotic reptile. Foxglove flowers open in late May, June, July and continue flowering until August (depending on the geographical region). What a shame they last one season and are gone. But the numerous seeds produced in capsules make it sure that new foxgloves will germinate the next spring. The trick is, we have to wait for the seedlings to bloom another long year.
Digitalis purpurea is a wild plant quite common in Europe. It prefers hilly landscapes where there is enough water for the roots as well as air because the foxglove does not tolerate waterlogged spots. It is a sun-loving plant although it can tolerate a partial shade. If the sunlight is limited the flowering is limited too, a very straightforward relationship and easy to remember in the garden practice.
Foxgloves are botanically labelled as biennials. The term means that the first year after seedling germinate from seeds, they form only a rosette of leaves and that is all for the whole season. The following year, providing the rosettes have survived the winter, they will produce a tall (up to two meters or taller) leafy stem with quite a few buds. They start opening from the lowest growing one and continue breaking up to the top one. That top flower looks totally different from the rest because it has a star shape and faces the sky.
Anyone who has grown common foxglove in their garden must be cautious not to destroy tiny seedling while spring weeding. If you spot some young foxglove rosettes you can transplant them in a different place or share them with your neighbours. The first -year foxglove plants will bloom the following year, which calls for a lot of patience, but the flowering reward is definitely worth it.
I would like to come back for a moment to that chemical substances extracted from foxglove plants. Vincent van Gogh was treated with a medicine containing those extracts during his emotional breakdow , and that period of treatment coincidences with his works of art created at that time and being significantly more yellow in tone. Some authorities say that dominant yellow light might be the effect of foxglove extracts changing the artist's vision as though he had put yellow glasses on. A very good excuse to listen to Don McLean and his beautiful ballad about Vincent.
Foxgloves are botanically labelled as biennials. The term means that the first year after seedling germinate from seeds, they form only a rosette of leaves and that is all for the whole season. The following year, providing the rosettes have survived the winter, they will produce a tall (up to two meters or taller) leafy stem with quite a few buds. They start opening from the lowest growing one and continue breaking up to the top one. That top flower looks totally different from the rest because it has a star shape and faces the sky.
Anyone who has grown common foxglove in their garden must be cautious not to destroy tiny seedling while spring weeding. If you spot some young foxglove rosettes you can transplant them in a different place or share them with your neighbours. The first -year foxglove plants will bloom the following year, which calls for a lot of patience, but the flowering reward is definitely worth it.
I would like to come back for a moment to that chemical substances extracted from foxglove plants. Vincent van Gogh was treated with a medicine containing those extracts during his emotional breakdow , and that period of treatment coincidences with his works of art created at that time and being significantly more yellow in tone. Some authorities say that dominant yellow light might be the effect of foxglove extracts changing the artist's vision as though he had put yellow glasses on. A very good excuse to listen to Don McLean and his beautiful ballad about Vincent.
Jarek
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