Foxgloves are beautiful flowers. The botanical name for the Foxglove is Digitalis Purpurea and the Latin word Digitalis, refers to the finger, or digit like shape of the flowers. The word Foxglove, originated in England, but contrary to popular belief has nothing at all to do with foxes.

Foxgloves do best in cooler climates, such as England, but also do well on the highveld area of South Africa and in the northern Freestate. Local South African gardeners say that the Foxglove plants flower better with more sun, than a semi shady spot. These plants prefer slightly acidic soil, that is rich and well aerated, but extremes of wet and dry conditions must be prevented. Under the right conditions the plants are easy growers and are pretty hardy to frost. Snails and slugs love these plants, so watch out for them. Spray the plants if snails are evident, or remove and destroy them.

Foxgloves add magnificent colour to a garden. They form clusters of soft felt like leaves, out of which grow strong stems, with each one having lots of pretty tubular shaped flowers. These flowers attract bees, birds and butterflies to the garden. The colour of the flowers, range from purple, to pink, white and yellow. They can be planted at almost any time of the year. They are actually regarded as perennials, so once planted and established, they will keep re-emerging. They also require little maintenance work, so are ideal, for those who do not have much time to tend their gardens. Foxgloves can be planted among other flowers like Canterbury Bells (Campanula), Columbines (Aquilegia), Forget Me Nots (Myosotis) and Pin Cushions (Scabiosa).

There are several varieties of Foxglove plants, such as:

Purprea “Foxy” - These have thick spikes of flowers, in colour mixes, of delicate rose, lavender, cream, yellow, red and white. Each flower spike reaches a height of around 75, to 90 centimetres. Some gardeners treat these plants as annuals, while others regard them as a first year flowering, bi-ennial plants.

Purpurea “Excelsior” - This type of Foxglove also comes in mixed colours, of pastel shades. The flowers are attached to a horizontal stem. They grow taller than the Foxy varieties, reaching heights of around 150 centimetres. This type is available in seed form and can be sown all year round. It is best to sow the seeds in trays and then transplant them, once they develop 2 leaves, or more.

Grandiflora “Ambigua” - This flower closely resembles the Digitalis Purpurea and has deep, creamy to yellow flowers, which have prominent rust like markings on the inner side. It flowers like a perennial plant and will keep producing flowers, for 4 to 5 years in a row.

Mertonesis - This has large dusky pink flowers, but the stems are shorter than the Digitalis Purpurea. It is also a perennial plant and produces fertile seeds, which then emulate the parent plant.

A largely unknown fact, is that the Digitalis Purpurea is also regarded as a herb. It is supposed to “heal the heart,” but is poisonous if ingested. There is no danger under normal handling conditions. The properties of the Foxglove, are known in medical history, as the discovery of William Withering, who was an eighteenth century country doctor, who was particularly interested in the formulas, used by a local herbalist and then started exploring the medicinal uses of plants.  He produced a life saving medication, from the Foxglove, for heart disease. The Digitalis contains cardiac glycosides, which include Digitoxin, which can rapidly strengthen the heartbeat. Don’t experiment, as it is advised that this medication only be taken, under the control of a medical doctor.

If you are interested in natural medications and the properties of plants, then a must read Ebook, is How And When To Be Your Own Doctor. This book is about self healing, nature, herbs and the environment. The truth that all the drug companies don’t want you to know. The truth about diet and nutrition. The truth about freedom. Stay free from diseases, free from stresses. The truth about love and more. http://dersalsites.com/doct/

Sally Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. She and her husband Derek, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening.

To remain informed of our progress, by newsletter and mail, to get recommended tools and lessons and to start your journey to wealth, sign up here. You will also get some free software. It’s free. Click this link : http://dersalsites.com/newsletter/

For more articles and advice on gardening topics, visit Sally’s website at http://www.dersalsites.com/gardening/  and her blog at http://dersalsites.com/sallysgardeningtips

For more on internet marketing, South African business, list building, law of attraction and rugby, visit Derek’s blog at: http://dersalsites.com/southafricanbusiness/

Visit our new website for all matters and advice concerning fitness and bodybuilding at http://dersalsites.com/crosstrainers/   

Bookmark to: