All about the foxgloves
The Botanic Nursery curates the National Collection of Digitalis for Plant Heritage (formerly National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens) Terry thought that a collections of Digitalis would sit well with the range of shrubs that we already grew and were granted the collection holder status in 1994. We have been fortunate to be able to exhibit the Digitalis at many major flower shows and encourage the growing of lots of different sorts within the famiy. There is so much more to them than “Oh they are all biennials aren’t they?” Well no they are not all biennial so read on.
If you would like to have a talk on Foxgloves or several other topics are available, at your Garden Club or Organisation, please contact Mary by email
There are 24 species and distinct geographic or varietal forms found throughout Central and Southern Europe. The Foxglove is a great survivor in the garden, as our native Foxglove Digitalis purpurea displays. It is the best known and has the widest variation in flower colour and are great seeders. Digitalis purpurea is a biennial and needs a period of cold in its first winter to initiate the flowering stems that start to appear in May – June, few gardeners have the heart to remove them if they come up in the wrong place in the garden. Once the biennials have flowered the spent flowers slowly develop into seed pods and when dry the seed disperses. The species are perennials that come from more southerly regions of Europe, they flower a little later in July and their flower shape and colour is quite variable. The species come true from seed whilst the biennials cross pollinate. Because of their ability to set seed easily the breeders can create wonderful hybrids that flower in their first year and continue to do so for a couple more years, many set seed but it seldom recreates the parent it came from.
What is a National Collection?
Plant Heritage is a charity devoted to the need to conserve garden plants, one of their most inspired ideas was to create National Collections.
There are diverse collections from the mighty Oak to Violas, Iris, Roses and of course Foxgloves. These can be found throughout the UK curated by individuals, botanic gardens, private gardens and plant nurseries. Many have open days and you can view and often purchase plants. Collectively they contain a vast number of taxa far more than even the largest Botanic Garden. I often consider them as a halfway house between the big Botanical Institutions and the home gardeners, unlike Botanic Gardens there is always someone to share your enthusiasm and of whom you can ask questions.
Plant Heritage gardening groups can be found all around the UK so do take a look at the website for more information, whilst there you may well find a collection that is close to you to visit.