FOXGLOVE-THE LOVELY DIGITALIS

I've loved foxglove for years. I've picked up several plants of foxglove at the big box store and they never seemed to do as I thought they would. Since then I have learned a few things that have helped me finally grow a sweet little crop of it this year.

I knew the moment I saw this cottage style bloom that I was in love. With it's bell shaped romantic blooms, it just screams beauty. It's lovely whimsical nature is just what I want to fill my gardens and flower field. It comes in such a wide variety of colors-shades of pink, purple, rose, cream, white, and even the palest yellow. It makes a beautiful addition to any arrangement or any garden.

One of the first things I discovered was that foxglove was a cool season plant-meaning that it prefers the temps of cool weather in spring (and fall as well if you are clever enough to figure out when to start them so they will bloom in fall). In the past, I would buy a plant in June or even July and couldn't figure out why it didn't do well. I also learned that Foxglove was a biennial and biennials take a year to bloom and only stick around for a year or two. However some of the new varieties of foxglove will bloom in the same year they are seeded but you need to know the info on the varieties.

Foxglove is really not hard to grow from seeds as long as you have a few items to help with germination. I do think it best to fall plant foxglove seedlings so you get a taller and more vigorous plant come spring. I think you will thank yourself if you do. There are lots of resources of the web that share info about growing and starting from seeds. One of the most imporant things about starting them from seed is to not forget to water them! Yes I have forgotten for what feels like a million times before. I've killed probably as many seedlings as I've planted sadly.

Foxglove does have one caveat though. It is poisonous as many plants and flowers are. But as long as you don't eat it you will be ok. You should be aware if you have one of those pets that goes crazy eating stuff though. None of our pets or animals has ever nibbled on it but I think it's always a good idea to be aware if you have a pet nibbler yourself. I don't recommend eating any flowers or plants unless you have firsthand knowledge that they are not poisonous-that includes knowing what they were grown in prior to your soil as well as freshly harvested items and their storage.

Foxglove is such a lovely plant. I think it is worthy of a trial in any garden. I don't think you will be sad if you give it a try. Good luck!.

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