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Foxglove purple (Digitalis) comes from the Plantain family. The plant is easy to care for, but has interesting decorative properties that allow it to be grown in the garden. The culture is valued in medicine, but if used incorrectly it can cause harm.
Description of foxglove purpurea
The genus received the Latin name “Digitalis”, which translates as “thimble”. This is due to the similarity in shape between the sewing item and the whisk. Foxglove purpurea is a biennial crop that even a beginner can grow.
Foxglove purpurea has good immunity, in addition, it has almost no pests
The stems are tall, sometimes up to 1.8 m, erect and strong. Their area is covered with medium-sized hairs. Lateral processes can be described as a rare phenomenon. The leaves grow up to 25-35 cm, are oval in shape, and form a rosette in the lower part.The difference between the upper leaf blades and the lower ones is the absence of pubescence. The basal foliage is lighter. The stem leaves are sessile because they do not have petioles.
The color palette of corollas may vary depending on the variety. For example, white, blue, purple and pink are widely found. So the name does not accurately reflect the essence of the plant.
The inflorescences are characterized by an abundance of miniature flowers that reach up to 45 mm in diameter. You can see blotches of dark color on the petals. The villi are concentrated in the center of the bud.
There are teeth at the ends of the cup of foxglove purpurea.
The fruits are capsules containing small seeds. The latter can be distinguished by their brown tint. The flowering period occurs at the beginning of summer.
Already formed fruits become visible in September or August
Where does foxglove grow?
The culture is spread throughout Europe. It can also be found in some, mostly Western, Asian countries. Some varieties have been spotted in northern Africa.
In poorly drained soils, foxglove purpurea may develop powdery mildew or gray mold.
Optimal conditions for growth are moist, but at the same time, areas open to the sun. Therefore, foxglove purpurea is usually found near the banks of reservoirs, clearings, forests, and roads.
The best varieties
Foxglove purpurea does not take root everywhere. Germination depends on the country and climate of growth. The following varieties are popular in Russia:
- Spotted giant. A plant with noble white flowers. Purple spots are visible on the inner surface.The stem is large, sometimes exceeding 160 cm. The buds open alternately, increasing the duration of flowering.
The variety is characterized by increased stem thickness, which is noticeable even to the naked eye.
- Excelsior. The height of the biennial is about 150 cm. Planting is allowed only in open ground. The flowers of foxglove purple at the beginning of the growing season have a pink tint, which darkens over time. The culture is not afraid of frost and lack of moisture.
Purple foxglove Excelsior is bred in small groups, as plants planted at different times make the garden diverse
- Red dwarf. One of the most compact varieties. The height of the plant does not exceed 40 cm, while it has quite large buds. Foxglove purple is resistant to the Russian climate. Flowering lasts throughout the summer.
A close relative of the Red Dwarf is the White Dwarf, which is more common in Europe than in Russia
- Muse. Medium-sized variety, reaching 1.2 m in height. The petals are decorated with a dark spotted pattern. Usually planted in a group, work is carried out in late spring. Flowering begins in early summer and lasts until the end of the season.
For normal cultivation of Muse, a temperature of at least +20 ° C is required.
- For normal cultivation of Muse, a temperature of at least +20 ° C is required.
Attention! Foxglove purpurea Muse prefers loose areas. Planting in clayey soil is impossible for it.
Why is foxglove purpurea dangerous?
Despite all its beauty, foxglove purple is poisonous; its leaves contain acids and glycosides, which are a special type of sugar. This dangerous combination can cause an imbalance in the functioning of the heart muscle.
Warning! During flowering, the plant releases spores that penetrate the respiratory tract of animals and humans.
Signs of digitalis purpurea poisoning
Gardeners need to be wary, as inhaling the spores can cause fainting. If foxglove purpurea grows in a large group, it can be fatal. The main signs of poisoning: vomiting, rapid heartbeat, frequent urination.
First aid for digitalis purpurea poisoning
After the defeat, you need to take eight tablets (depending on weight) of activated carbon and drink them with plenty of water. If nausea prevents you from flushing your stomach, swallow small pieces of ice. The best prevention is not to grow the plant in groups.
Beneficial properties of foxglove purpurea
The plant is highly valued in pharmacology. Paradoxically, it is used to produce drugs that stabilize the functioning of the heart. Production began in the 17th century.
Uses of foxglove purpurea
Digitalis purpurea is used to treat mitral valve disease, heart failure and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Glycosides prevent arrhythmia and improve the patient’s health. The culture is of greatest value during congestion of the heart muscle, when it is unable to cope with the load.
The drugs Cordigitit and Digitoxin are made from the plant.
Therapeutic drugs restore the vascular system, reduce the size of the heart, and lower blood pressure. In addition, swelling disappears and liver function normalizes. After taking the medicine, patients stop feeling shortness of breath, and their skin takes on a natural color.
Purple foxglove is also used in cases of circulatory disorders and hypertension.The duration of taking the drugs is prescribed by the doctor. They are usually consumed over a long period - about several months. At this time, it is necessary to monitor the patient’s body response.
Landing rules
Fruits with seeds can be collected 30 days after flowering. At this time they become yellowish. The boxes are carefully torn off and laid out on a towel for further drying. The seeds can be collected after ripening, but it is not known exactly when the fruits will open. Regardless of the method, they are planted in open ground or in containers.
As a rule, the highest quality material is concentrated in the basal part of the foxglove purple. The seeds need a little moisture; you should not sprinkle them with soil. A film or bottle will help provide enough liquid. After the sprout appears, the pot is opened; the ideal place for storage is a windowsill.
Seedlings are planted in March. 120 days are enough to strengthen, after which the plant is moved to a permanent place. Before work, the area should be prepared. It’s good if the soil is universal. When the cotyledon leaves begin to appear, the purple foxglove is thinned out.
As the amount of foliage increases, the sprouts are separated from each other. In open ground - in May or June. Pre-treatment, which consists in wetting the planting material, will help improve germination. The seeds are covered with a small layer of sand.
Foxglove purpurea affected by a fungal infection must be burned; if the disease has not captured the plant, it is treated with fungicides
A distance of half a meter is maintained between the pits. Before the procedure, the soil is loosened and fertilized in advance. As the latter, ash and compost are used (about 3 kg per plant). The top layer of soil is leveled using garden tools and the seeds are scattered.
The sprouts sprout quickly, about ten days is enough. They are thinned out so that everyone has enough nutrients. As soon as four leaves appear on the stem, the purple foxglove is separated from each other. The variety will delight the gardener with luxurious flowering in the second year. During the first months, a rosette will form. During this time, oval leaves with petioles will appear.
Care instructions
Foxglove purpurea can be called an unpretentious crop. The only thing you have to watch is the moisture level. The root system does not tolerate excess liquid. The response to heavy watering may be rotting of the underground part.
On the other hand, lack of water will affect the completeness of flowering. If the variety has suffered from drought, its flowers will grow small and fragile. As a rule, they fall off without even opening. The plant is fed with mineral supplements about twice a season.
Reproduction
Varieties are propagated using cuttings or seeds. The latter demonstrate the best germination.Foxglove purpurea raw materials are harvested in the spring; it is better to use store-bought soil suitable for indoor plants as soil. The planting material is frost-resistant, so maintenance is not a problem. The seeds are dried in a room with a humidity level of no more than 10%. Raw materials can be grown both in open ground and in a flower bed or a spacious pot. Next, you can follow the planting technology already described.
When propagating by appendages, the stem is trimmed. After about 20 days, several rosettes with leaves grow on it. They are carefully cut and planted in the ground. Work is carried out in May. Purple foxglove will be able to get strong enough before the onset of cold weather and survive the winter together with the parent plant.
Flowers will form next summer
Photos in landscape design
Tall varieties of purple foxglove are used to create backgrounds. They are usually planted along the perimeter of fences. If the variety grows in a flower garden, botanists advise using shade-tolerant crops as neighbors. Geranium goes well with foxglove purple.
The main pest of foxglove purple is the green aphid.
Due to the large number of flowers, this variety is used by florists to create lush bouquets from them. The combination of scarlet, cream and purple varieties looks great. The plant is also used in room decoration. With their help you can decorate any interior.
To combat insects, foxgloves are treated with the insecticide Iskra
It’s good if a special place is allocated for the crop in the garden. Due to the wind, in large areas, foxglove purpurea can fill the entire space. On the one hand, this increases the risk of intoxication. On the other hand, it is possible to obtain varieties characterized by increased vitality.
Foxglove purpurea does not emit any fragrance
Conclusion
Foxglove purpurea is definitely worth a look. For Russian gardeners, the crop can be a real godsend. This is a frost-hardy genus that will not be a problem for breeding. Before planting, you need to take into account the toxic properties of the leaves. They contain a large amount of glycosides, which can worsen health conditions. However, varieties are also used for medicinal purposes.
