The tall white, pink, and purplish flowers standing like spikes around the edge of the garden are foxgloves (digitalis). I found the name fascinating, imagining a fox wearing the tiny blooms of this plant on his feet. Each of the many flowers on the stalks is shaped like a sock or a glove, just perfect for a fox to put a paw into.
This plant has many common names. I first learned its name in German when my mother told me it was called “Fingerhut,” which means, literally, finger hat, and is the word for “thimble.” The Latin name “digitalis” is also to do with fingers (digits).
Did you know that digoxin, extracted from foxglove, is used as a heart medicine? But don’t go eating foxglove thinking you’ll get a healthy heart from it. The opposite would most likely occur. All parts of the plant are toxic.
Although it is unlikely to be eaten by children or pets, I want to be careful. I try to keep my foxgloves growing mainly inside the garden fence.
In the photo above, you can see that the bells of the foxgloves gradually open starting from the bottom of the plant. The top buds are the last to open. The bottom ones will be the first to go to seed. I had to wait to see what shape the topmost flower would have. I wanted to compare it to this oddball below.
In the photo of the pale foxglove, the topmost flower opened like a wide bell facing upwards. All the other foxglove plants have drooping bell-shaped flowers right to the top.
I don’t know if it’s a different variety of foxglove or just an anomaly. Maybe it’s the teacup for the fox to sip from while he puts his gloves on. That would get his ticker racing.
July 1, 2018 at 2:09 pm
I remember when I was a small child, my mom showed me why they were called “Fingerhut”.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 1, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Cute little memories, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 1, 2018 at 3:05 pm
That is an unusual name, Anneli. They kind of remind me of Gladiolus. Great photos! Thanks for the Twitter shares. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 1, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Mot welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 1, 2018 at 3:40 pm
The name, coupled with the beautiful blossoms, is a pleasant combination.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 1, 2018 at 5:36 pm
It is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 1, 2018 at 4:14 pm
To me, the foxglove looks like it has freckles.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 1, 2018 at 5:35 pm
I think they do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 2, 2018 at 5:32 am
Beautiful flower, Anneli. It’s interesting that that it’s used for heart medicine yet is toxic.
LikeLike
July 2, 2018 at 7:48 am
Everything in moderation, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 2, 2018 at 9:19 am
Yup!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 2, 2018 at 5:42 am
Lovely flowers.
And I like your conclusion😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 2, 2018 at 7:48 am
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 2, 2018 at 9:52 pm
What a fascinating flower! The name IS great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 2, 2018 at 10:36 pm
I’ve always been impressed by them – and they’re prolific and free!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 3, 2018 at 12:24 pm
I remember them from my childhood, but again not sure if they have them here. Our nurseries carry all the same stuff . . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 3, 2018 at 7:04 am
“imagining a fox wearing the tiny blooms of this plant on his feet” – now I am smiling broadly when imagining this. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 3, 2018 at 9:08 am
It’s a cute image, isn’t it? Thanks for reading, Pit. Enjoy your week, and happy Independence Day tomorrow.
LikeLike
July 3, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Still smiling! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 5, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Super cute post. 🙂 I will now see foxes sipping tea from a cup made of petals! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 5, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Thanks. So glad you enjoyed that image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 7, 2018 at 7:57 am
Ooh, aah! So pretty those foxgloves are, Anneli. Really a nice garden post today. 💐
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 7, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Thanks, Robin. They are almost finished blooming now.
LikeLike
July 9, 2018 at 8:02 pm
I thought you captured this so beautifully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 9, 2018 at 8:16 pm
😉
LikeLike