GARDEN ADVICE

Foxgloves

Stately purple Foxgloves look wonderful growing in the wild in hedgerows or woodlands. Digitalis purpurea is the only species of Foxglove which grows wild in the U.K. A haven for bees, Foxgloves are toxic to humans although some medicinal drugs for heart conditions have been extracted from the common Foxglove.

Foxgloves are essential for that real cottage garden look. Some are perennial but they are usually grown as bi-annuals. They do not flower in the first year that they are grown from seed but come into their own in year two. Foxgloves are easily grown and they also self-seed very well, an example of buy one get lots free! The only problem with the self-seeded Foxgloves is that they do not always flower true although the variety of shades can be really very charming.

Foxgloves grow to 1.5 metres (5 ft.) which means they are very good for the back of borders. Tall plants have a place even in the smallest of gardens because they give structure, movement as they gently sway in the breeze and a 3 dimensional look. Another good thing about Foxgloves is that they prefer a shady spot, preferably dappled shade and this means that they provide colour in what can sometimes be difficult areas. For the more impatient who cannot wait until the second year for the Foxgloves to flower, they are available container grown to flower in the first year after purchase. Whilst the traditional purple Foxglove is very pretty I like some of the pastel shades now available.

Digitalis purpurea "Alba", as the name suggests has white flowers and makes a good cut flower. It is great if you are planning a wholly white border in the mode of Sissinghurst. It can be mixed with white Valerian to good effect. Digitalis purpurea "Apricot" is a lovely shade whilst a really special Foxglove is Digitalis purpurea heywoodii "Silver Fox". This has silvery foliage and lavender pink flowers with a speckled throat. It only grows to 30" so everyone must have room for at least one of these.

There are other Foxgloves that hardly look like they belong to the same family. Digitalis grandiflora flowers in late summer. This is an evergreen perennial some 30" in height with a yellow flower. Digitalis ferruginea has orchid like gold blooms. Digitalis obscura is even stranger. It comes from Spain with orange flowers with a dark chocolate throat - Sangria on a stalk.