The first plants that were grown near human settlements were mostly spice and medicinal plants. They include digitalis, the healing properties of which have been known for centuries. Due to the high content of poisonous glycosides, this plant has so far been used in the production of heart drugs.
The genus Digitalis from the Scrophulariaceae familyincludes about 20 species of biennials and perennials. Many of them occur in Poland, mostly in luminous forests, e.g. in forest clearings. Most of these tall plants are very decorative. The most famous is our native purple foxgloveDigitalis purpurea. It grows up to 1-1.5 m in height. It is a typical biennial that forms a rosette of leaves in the first year, and tall clusters of purple-pink tubular flowers in the next.
The flowers can reach up to 7 cm long, and they are decorated with clear maroon spots inside the flower tube, surrounded by a white border. Speckles are typical of each variety, regardless of the color of the flowers (they can be white, creamy yellow or salmon). The clusters are one-sided - all flowers always face the best lit side, most often south. They bloom in June and July.
Purple foxglove is rarely grown in gardens because it is considered a labor-intensive plant. It is rarely remembered that this species likes to renew itself, and its reproduction is not problematic - seeds sown in summer sprout quickly, and young plants are planted permanently in autumn.
Instead of purple foxglove, more and more often the cultivation of its hybrid with the perennial digitalis - foxgloveMertonD. x mertonensis. As a rule, this species behaves like a short-lived perennial (it dies after 2-3 years of cultivation). Its flowers are very similar to the purple foxglove, only more numerous and densely distributed on the stem. Both species do best in semi-shaded or lighted places only for a while. They can be planted in flower beds, especially in traditional, rural and naturalistic gardens, in formal flower beds and in large containers. They blend in beautifully with ferns, perennials, funkas and other perennials of shady places.Among the biennial species it is worth mentioning the red foxgloveD. ferruginea (sometimes behaving like a perennial) andwoollyD. lanata with original brownish flowers.
How does digitalis spread? Should it be done manually?
Foxglove is an undemanding biennial plant which, after flowering, easily sets fruit in the form of double-leaf bags with numerous, small seeds. The seeds germinate well and do not require any special preparation or care treatments. It is best to sow the foxglove in pots or litter boxes in late spring (May / June), and after the formation of the first proper leaves, pierce the seedlings into separate containers. The seedlings are planted in a selected position at the end of summer (August). Plants will bloom next summer. There are no contraindications to do it manually.
Perennial species, which are usually long-lived plants and do not require frequent renewal, can also be planted in the gardens.The most famous is foxgloveD. grandiflora, naturally occurring in Poland (under strict protection). This species creates showy clumps of raised shoots. At their peak, clusters with bright yellow flowers develop throughout June and July.It happens that removing faded shoots encourages plants to flower again in September and October.
- says Dr. Eng. Tomasz Mróz
Yellow foxglove is similar to the foxgloveD. luteaThe vertical stems of both species work well in various types of plantings - from formal to naturalistic (the plants renew themselves nicely from the fruits left on the shoots). Let us provide them with a well-lit place or a light partial shade.
All digitalis species grow best in permeable, humus, moderately fertile or fertile soils. The soil should not be wet. Foxglove requires a high calcium content in the substrate.
