stratsmom
Southern Oregon
Posts: 2282
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject: What can you tell me about foxglove? |
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Last spring (2005) I bought a healthy looking foxglove from a local nursery. It didn't do much. It just sat there looking really healthy. Then I found out it should bloom the 2nd year. Well it did and it was amazing! Some of the stalks were over 6 feet tall! I thought it was purple when I bought it. Evidently I got 2 for the price of 1 because when it bloomed one side was white and the other was pinkish  When it started to die back it looked horrible!!  I cut it way back and now what's left looks good. Nice and green again with a little bitty purple stalk. My question is: After this is it done? Should I dig it up and put something else in it's place? It won't bloom again next year will it?
Thanks,
Deanna
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glendann
Texas
Posts: 9228
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:04 am Post subject: |
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It doesn't tell in this site to be sure and handle this plant with gloves.
I was told by a Dr.some years ago to be sure to wear gloves as this is a form of heart medication , digitalis can be absorbed into the skin from this plant .I do not grow it as the Dr knew I like plants and do have heart problems and was taking this med to slow my heart down at the time. I just thought I would mention it in case you have had problems with heart rate.
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Frank
 Administrator
Originally Galway, Ireland
Posts: 12349
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:29 am Post subject: |
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Deanna the common foxglove is a biennial so I'm afraid it's time is up. If you collected the seeds from it then you could have sown more from seed but it sounds like you may have thrown them away?
And just to add to Glenda's point this plant is highly toxic should be handled with extreme care. It is used for the treatment of heart conditions in the world of medicine but of course that is in a controlled measure. Ingestion will cause amongst other effects, slow and irregular pulse. Definitely one to be careful around if someone has a heart condition. Even the water in a vase containing a foxglove is toxic 
But one lighthearted fact the name foxglove, where does it come from? Well it quite simple. The latin name is Digitalis which means "finger-like" (fit on a human finger easily) but they are also look to make a perfect glove for foxes. Quite literal don't you think 
Did you by any chance collect seed from it Deanna?
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glendann
Texas
Posts: 9228
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thank You Frank, You did a much better job of explaining the Medical part than I could.I did get seeds from Horticatius.I am going to plant them and use gloves in the spring.
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stratsmom
Southern Oregon
Posts: 2282
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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WOW! I didn't know about the heart issue! I almost always wear gloves when I'm working in the yard. It's a habit I picked up from my Grandma  Sounds like it's a good thing! I didn't save any seeds but I think it did it's job of reseeding because there are millions of little somethings coming up in the bed where it lived  I'm kind of sorry to hear that it's days are numbered but I wanted to put some spiderwort in that bed so now I know it will be available soon!
Thanx everybody
Deanna
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CritterPainter
Washington State
Posts: 1425
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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they grow wild up here and will very happily reseed themselves all over your garden! I had a run in with them when my little girl decided they looked tasty. Horrible day!
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I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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EJ
Essex
Posts: 2863
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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I have them all over my garden, species and big blousy ones, and I leave the flower spikes on until dried, then cut them and shake as I do. I also find that although the main crown of the plant won't flower again, they often send off side shoots which do flower. I don't pull them up. I think they are amazing and when you get up close and personal to those flowers, they are every bit as gorgeous as an orchid!
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