Digitalis purpurea - Foxglove
Wherever soil is disturbed, either by forestry clear-felling
or earth moving prior to construction work, foxgloves are among the first wild flowers to
appear. In hedgerows facing the sunny south, they provide a splendid display throughout
the summer months. In Wales, July is their best month.
Foxgloves are biennials, although occasionally plants can live longer than two years.
As well as purple flowers, you may see wh ite foxgloves and occasionally pale pink ones.
They can grow to well over a metre in height and are a welcome sight on the banks of
rivers, lakes and canals. Foxgloves do not thrive in heavy, wet soils, and do best in
sandy, well-drained areas, especially in a year after the soil has been disturbed, for
example by tree felling work.
Wildflowers of Wales
This wildflower is one of many dozens that are featured in the First Nature Guide to the
Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 1 - Woodland and Waysides.
|
|
