Foxgloves! (Digitalis purpurea)

This is one of my favorite times in our gardens. The foxgloves are approaching full bloom. This flower was one of the favorites of my Grandma Davis.

The majority of the foxgloves that are blooming in our yard came from Helvetia. We dug several plants along the creek bank. The Helvetia foxglove was first brought into the mountains by a local doctor. He, of course, used the plant as part of his "medicine cabinet." Medicines from foxgloves are called "Digitalin". The use of Digitalis purpurea extract containing cardiac glycosides was for the treatment of heart conditions and to regulate the heart rate.




















This plant is a biennial so you have to wait until the seed pods form and then distribute the seeds around the ground. Thus far, we have had great success with these critters returning each year.












































Hark! These plants are extremely poisonous. The rule is ENJOY but do not eat. Even the deer stay away from this plant!