Witches' thimbles

Enchanting and architectural, foxgloves are a wonderful addition to the summer garden. Anne Swithinbank takes a look at some of the best types to grow

- Anne Swithinbank

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’.’