Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
If you are looking for a plant that adds bold color and shape to your garden, Foxglove might be the perfect fit. Often seen in cottage gardens, it will grow well in shade or part shade and is easily grown from seed. 
Foliage grows the first season and blooms in the next. Plants reseed themselves freely so you often have blooms year after year eventhough it is a biennial plant. 
It has hairy spotted flowers that hang down from a stem that is 3 to 6 ft in height. 
It gets its name from the finger shaped flowers that resemble a glove. There is also a legend that evil fairies gave the blossoms to the fox to put on his toes so that he could soften his step while hunting his prey, hence the name,Foxglove. 
The drug Digitalis is derived from this plant. It is used for certain kinds of heart conditions. Foxglove is a very poisonous plant. Every part of it is poisonous to humans and pets so be sure to keep them from munching on in at any time.
July 11th, 2010 at: 11:51 pm
Really lovely shots of the foxglove!
July 12th, 2010 at: 12:09 am
one of my favorite perennials. i love the details you’ve captured of the patterns of the flowers
July 12th, 2010 at: 1:32 am
Purple is my favorite color… and I just love how that flower looked like. Very pretty!
You can check out my Today’s Flowers post HERE.
July 12th, 2010 at: 2:10 am
Stunning photos!
Love the story behind the name.
July 12th, 2010 at: 5:19 am
Amazing flower! Mesmerizing.
Have a great week ahead
July 12th, 2010 at: 7:13 am
Great macro shots of beautiful flowers.
July 12th, 2010 at: 12:54 pm
I’ve always loved this flower and I think you have just encouraged me to give it a go in my garden.
Beautiful blooms!
July 12th, 2010 at: 7:41 pm
Neat tool Teresa. I like the last photo of the flowers best of all.
July 12th, 2010 at: 8:33 pm
Love your macro shots! I could see the detail of the spots.
The story behind the flower is like a fantasy!