PRODUCING slender spikes of flowers in late spring and summer, foxgloves (Digitalis) create vertical accents through the border. The statuesque spires show off the other plants around them and provide a great food source for bumblebees at the same time.
Since foxgloves have old folklore associations with witches and fairies, they also add a sense of enchantment. Common names include fairy bells and witches’ thimbles. In times gone by, it was unlucky to bring foxgloves into the house because it was believed they would attract bad witches. This was perhaps because foxgloves are poisonous. For this reason, they should always be handled with gloves. However, in the right dose, the potent cardiac glycoside in Digitalis purpurea is an effective heart medicine.
Where to buy
Beth Chatto - 01206 822 007 - bethchatto.co.uk
Chiltern Seeds - 01491 824675 - chilternseeds.co.uk
Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants - 01256 896533 - hardysplants.co.uk
Sarah Raven - 0345 092 0283 - sarahraven.com
Huge range of cultivars
Of the 20 species of Digitalis, most are perennials, but the best known is the biennial purple-pink D. purpurea that grows wild around British woodland.
There is a huge range of D. purpurea cultivars on offer. ‘Candy Mountain’ is great for a splash of colour, especially if planted in groups,’ says Pennsylvania-based landscape designer Nathan Tuno, who works at Roots Landscape Inc. ‘I also like the cooler palettes of ‘Dalmatian Peach’ and ‘Snow Thimble’.’
Denne historien er fra June 04, 2022-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 04, 2022-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters