As all gardeners know, that adage does not just apply to real estate. After many frustrating years of attempts & losses, I think I've finally found the "sweet spot" for growing foxgloves in my garden! Those of you who also struggle with this feat know exactly the elation I am feeling. In this garden I trapped my own self in a "box" ~ stubbornly insisting on planting them over and over again in the same location. Finally, last year I changed tactics and wised up. It shouldn't have taken me that long ~ how many times do they have to die before the picture is gotten?!! Anyway, a different site was selected, one that's a LOT more protected from those horrible, desiccating, winter winds. Could it be that easy?? It seems so because the reward of shifting mindsets is Digitalis x mertonensis (aka the Strawberry Foxglove) overwintered & blooming:
Oh, the rapture. Those crushed berry blooms have made my heart race for too many years to count. I wish I knew how many dollars I've spent buying new plants only to fail (wait, NO, I do not want that information!)
So far, only one bloom stalk but hey, it's a start ~ and one more than I've ever gotten before!
Guess what else likes the same piece of real estate? See the spike on the left side of mertonensis ~ another overwintering success ~ Primula vialii:
That's extra special considering we had minus 18 temps last winter!
Back to the foxgloves tho, I'm feeling so optimistic about growing them now, I've splurged again on another D. purpurea (excelsior hybrid):
I hope they all seed like crazy and create for me the swath of pink towers I'd almost relegated to dreams.
Despite all the failures, I haven't been a complete flop with this family, I have had ONE success ~ D. grandiflora:
It doesn't seem to have the exacting requirements as other family members, happily flourishing for four years on the north side of my house. Figure that out???
Veering away from foxgloves, another plant that responds to a change in venue is my clivia. The past two summers, upon being moved outdoors, it has immediately sent up a bloom stalk. Maybe the cooler night temperatures???
Whatever the cause, the vibrant pop of color right outside my back door is very welcome. It's really sets the tone when you step outdoors (and the hot color matchs the almost 100 degree heat we're suddenly experiencing too.)
A final photo, nothing to do with location or foxgloves, the 'Phantom' petunia/'Mocha Latte' container:
I keep thinking it needs a pop of something but I can't decide what?? Any suggestions?
I love those same foxgloves too ~ strawberry foxglove, D. grandiflora, and the biennials. So glad you found a place where they're happy. They look beautiful! I love your container planting. It's very different and dramatic.
Posted by: sweetbay | June 30, 2011 at 10:59 AM
I need to try growing foxgloves. They scream elegant cottage, and my garden could use more of both. The clivia is also nice, but the bulbs can take a long time to mature before they bloom - I think 5 years or so? And I like the planter like it is. I think once the sedum grows out a bit more, it will be very nice.
Posted by: AngryRedhead | June 30, 2011 at 12:50 PM
I was looking at my containers this morning and thought of you and the Mocha Latte. I have a dark coleus and the Phantom petunia and Pinstripe petunia, liriope, Sunburst boxwood, and a yellow sweet potato vine. Your Mocha Latte would have been a great addition!
I know what you mean about location --- moved my Tiger Eyes sumac and it died. I learned my lesson, this morning planted the new one in the spot the Tiger Eyes WAS happy before I wanted it in a different location.
Beautiful Foxgloves.
Posted by: Janet, The Queen of Seaford | June 30, 2011 at 01:06 PM
I think your container is beautiful the way it is Kathleen. Those new black velvety petunias have really taken my heart. I am saving seeds from my black and pink ones.
Your Foxglove seed attempts sounds like mine. The seeds I have wasted. LOL! I am so stubborn that I kept sowing them in several areas to get them going.Finally they took hold and then I moved them to where I wanted them. I really love the darker pink one. I have a yellow on on order for fall planting that I hope will brighten up some shade. Have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: Lona | June 30, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Oh, I am so jealous! I have not had success with Foxgloves. But I will keep trying...I guess in a different location!
Posted by: PlantPostings | June 30, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Glad your Foxglove bloomed for you! I do the same thing with certain plants, trying again and again to plant them in the same place without luck. Foxgloves seem to come up in new places every year here, rotating through the garden.
Posted by: Catherine | June 30, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Kathleen, I'm so glad that your strawberry foxglove finally found a place in your garden where it is happy! I love your monochromatic container.
Posted by: Ramona/The Garden Explorer | June 30, 2011 at 09:22 PM
So happy you found the right spot. I do indeed know what you are feeling. The taste of success is indeed sweet. My clivia has never bloomed still. Grrrrr. Not sure what is up with it but it has pretty foliage. Maybe it's too young and needs to mature. I got it as an off shoot from a friend a few years ago. Anyhow yours is such a pretty color-so glad it is doing well for you.
Posted by: tina | July 01, 2011 at 06:56 AM
I've had the same problem with Foxgloves myself. They do good the first season or two and then die out. I have to find a good spot for them again. Your container looks perfect to me Kathleen, so I'm not suggesting anything. :)
Posted by: Racquel | July 01, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Aren't foxgloves just fabulous? I've been treating them like annuals, because they don't come back for me after winter. And seeds never come up. But I think I might have some seedlings coming up this year, so wish me luck!
Posted by: RobinL | July 02, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Congrats on your Foxglove victory! Don't you love it when something actually works out? I love your 'Mocha Latte' container. It doesn't need anything! Happy 4th.
Posted by: Grace | July 04, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Hi Kathleen, Your foxgloves are glorious. I was thrilled to have just one foxglove this year, so I am no expert on foxgloves. I am hoping that this one success will reseed itself throughout the bed. Hopefully, there will be enough winter protection in this location.
Your planter looks just great the way it is. Though I don't really think it needs anything, I might add a shot of pink to make the dark purples sing.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 06, 2011 at 06:56 AM
Glad you figured out your foxgloves. This is not one of our best years for them but there's always next year, right? I bought that phantom petunia, really like it.
Posted by: Victoria | July 06, 2011 at 10:26 AM