Let's dive into the edgy elegance and cool vibe of each element in this week's stunning crown.
The striking blue hue of false blue indigo (baptisia australis) is apparent while tall, spiky blooms and lush foliage add elegance and height while creating a dramatic deep blue contrast. Meadowrue (thalictrum) gives it a delicate, airy quality with the fine, feathery foliage and clusters of tiny flowers add texture and lightness and enhances the overall composition with subtle presence.
Bush roses give the piece timeless beauty and fragrance with classic, full blooms in various shades adding richness and romance. Lush petals and captivating scent evoke nostalgia and elegance. The large pink and cream peonies are sexy and prolific flowers with an intoxicating scent and large, lush petals for abundance and luxury.
Foxgloves (digitalis), meanwhile, provide a kind of sculptural and architectural beauty with their tall, bell-shaped flowers with unique form and pattern. The flowers introduce intrigue and structural beauty by creating striking silhouettes and intricate markings for depth and complexity.
Growing foxgloves: A guide to annuals, perennials and biennials
Annual foxgloves: The instant gratification
If you’re looking for quick, vibrant blooms, annual foxgloves are your go-to. They complete their life cycle in one season, making them perfect for instant charm. Start with seeds in early spring, and by summer, your garden will be ablaze with the likes of digitalis purpurea ‘Foxy’. This variety is a showstopper with its array of pink, white, and purple flowers, blooming in the first year to deliver that instant wow factor.
Perennial foxgloves: The long-term beauties
For those in it for the long haul, perennial foxgloves like digitalis grandiflora and digitalis lutea are your best bet. These hardy plants come back year after year, standing up to colder climates with ease. While they might not bloom as prolifically as annuals, their durability and low maintenance make them invaluable for perennial beds. Think of them as the reliable backbone of your garden, bringing consistent beauty with minimal effort.
Biennial foxgloves: The drama queens
Biennial foxgloves, such as the classic digitalis purpurea, live for two years. Year one is all about developing lush foliage, and year two is when they steal the show with their iconic flower spikes. Often self-seeding, these plants ensure a continuous cycle of jaw-dropping blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. Plant them in late spring or early summer and prepare for the dramatic heights they bring to your garden in their second year.
The medicinal wonders of digitalis
Beyond their striking looks, foxgloves have a storied medicinal history. The genus name, digitalis, is synonymous with a group of powerful heart medications derived from their leaves. These cardiac glycosides have been lifesavers for centuries, treating heart conditions with their potent effects.
Handle with Care
As cool as they are, foxgloves are also highly toxic if ingested. Their beauty comes with a warning label—keep them away from pets and children, and always wash your hands after handling. These plants demand respect and caution, but their stunning presence in your garden is well worth the care.
I adore this foxglove folklore. In Scandinavia, they say that foxes were saved by the fairies from extinction when the fairies gave them the secret of how to ring the foxglove bells to warn other foxes of approaching hunters. The foxes were also known to put on these flower gloves so that they so that they would tread more softly among the chicken roosts to capture an unsuspecting hen or rooster.
(Artwork by Jessie Willcox Smith (1865-1935)
This is what unfolds when you dive deep into your garden, embracing the intricate beauty of flowers, plants, and the vibrant life they bring. My journey into studying and growing foxgloves for the first time is driven by my mom's investigation into hybridization, pushing the boundaries to create plants that are not just beautiful but resilient.
The night sky shimmered with a thousand stars as I drifted into a deep, enchanting dream. In this dream, the world buzzed with excitement for the largest opera event it had ever witnessed. The grand opera house stood majestic, its towering spires adorned with shimmering lights that danced like fireflies in the evening breeze.
As the dream unfolded, I found myself standing at the entrance of this magnificent venue, my mother by my side. The crowd surged around us, their faces alight with anticipation and joy. We were here to experience the magic, but there was a problem—we didn't have tickets.
Determined, I approached the event organizer, a poised and elegant woman named Mrs. Foxglove. She stood out in the crowd, her presence commanding respect and admiration. Her hair was a cascade of silver curls, and her eyes sparkled with a knowing wisdom. She was the gatekeeper to this world of musical wonder.
"Mrs. Foxglove," I called out, my voice hopeful yet hesitant. "My mother and I have come so far to witness this event. Is there any way we can get tickets?"
She looked at us thoughtfully, her gaze softening. "Indeed, the tickets are both scarce and costly," she replied. "But perhaps I can pull some strings to help you out." With a gentle smile, she handed us two golden tickets, "Enjoy the evening," she said. "The main attraction is an incredible surprise."
Grateful and filled with anticipation, we made our way into the grand opera house. The interior was a spectacle of opulence—gilded balconies, crystal chandeliers, and velvet seats that promised comfort beyond compare. We took our places, hearts pounding with excitement.
(Microsoft designer image)
As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the audience. The stage was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The curtains parted, revealing a lush, enchanted garden. Flowers of every hue and shape swayed gently, as if moved by an unseen breeze. Then, from the heart of the garden, a voice emerged—clear, pure, and utterly captivating.
It was the most beautiful singing voice we had ever heard, but it wasn't human. The voice belonged to a human-flower hybrid, a being of exquisite grace and beauty. Her petals glistened like jewels, and her face was a perfect blend of human and floral elegance. As she sang, the entire opera house seemed to hold its breath, entranced by the magical melody.
The music wove through the air, touching our souls with its haunting beauty. It was a song of love and loss, of hope and renewal. The hybrid's voice resonated with an otherworldly charm, each note a delicate petal falling softly into our hearts.
As the final note lingered in the air, the audience erupted into applause, tears of joy and wonder streaming down many faces. My mother and I were no exception, utterly spellbound by the performance. We exchanged a look of pure astonishment, knowing we had witnessed something truly extraordinary.
As we left the opera house, the night seemed even more magical. The stars above twinkled with a newfound brilliance, and the cool night air carried the lingering notes of the evening's performance.
And as dreams often do, it faded with the morning light, leaving behind a sense of wonder and the hope that, perhaps, such magic might exist somewhere in the world, waiting to be discovered.
(Microsoft designer image)
A certified landscape designer and horticulturalist, Monika Rekola brings landscapes to life with her passion for gardening and CAD designs, guided by a profound love for all living beings. As a budding homesteader and garden writer, she shares her passion for sustainable living. With a knack for recycling and repurposing, Monika finds beauty in simplicity, while her love for birds makes her a keen observer of nature. Committed to forest management and gardening with an ecological focus, she strives to create balance in our delicate ecosystem. She can be reached at [email protected].
