Foxglove Digitalis purpurea 'Camelot Rose' (Camelot Series)
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as Foxglove 'Camelot Rose' from the Camelot Series is a beautiful and distinctive perennial that possesses an alluring charm in any garden. Its most defining feature is the prominent spike of blooms that extend upward, like fingers of a glove, giving it a grand and stately appearance. The flowers are shaped like thimbles and display a stunning rose-pink hue that fades gracefully to a lighter shade toward the bottom. Each flower is intricately decorated with speckles and spots inside, often arranged in a pattern that guides pollinators into their depths. The foliage of the Foxglove 'Camelot Rose' forms a rosette at the base of the plant. The leaves are large, broad, and have a slightly furry texture, which can surprise when touched. They are a deep green color, which creates a lush backdrop for the vibrant floral display above. After the initial blooming, sometimes spent flower spikes might give way to secondary blooms, continuing the performance of color and texture in the garden. Foxglove 'Camelot Rose' brings a traditional cottage garden feel to any planting area, with its quintessential flower shape and enticing, rich colors. This plant provides vertical interest and can act as a focal point due to its striking floral spikes. It's loved not only by gardeners for its beauty but also by bees and hummingbirds that find its blooms irresistible. Overall, Foxglove 'Camelot Rose' is a captivating plant that marries the allure of old-world gardens with the sophistication of modern cultivars.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae.
Synonyms
Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove, Lady's Gloves, Fairy Gloves, Witches' Gloves.
Common names
Digitalis purpurea 'Camelot Rose'.
ToxicityTo humans
Foxglove is highly toxic to humans if ingested. It contains cardiac glycosides which can cause severe poisoning. Symptoms of foxglove poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, weakness, changes in heart rate or rhythm, and possibly fatal heart failure.
To pets
Foxglove is highly toxic to pets as well, containing the same cardiac glycosides dangerous to humans. Symptoms of poisoning in pets include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, and potentially death if consumed in sufficient quantities. Immediate veterinary care is critical for animals that have ingested any part of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: The flowers of the foxglove serve as nectar sources for bees and other pollinating insects.
- Aesthetic appeal: 'Camelot Rose' has striking, rose-pink tubular flowers that add a splash of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Tall flower spikes: The plant's tall spikes are filled with blooms, offering vertical interest in garden beds and borders.
- Shade tolerance: As a woodland plant, it can thrive in partially shaded areas where other flowering plants might struggle.
- Drought resistance: Once established, foxgloves can tolerate periods of dryness, making them suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
- Cottage garden staple: This plant is a classic choice for a cottage garden aesthetic, blending well with other perennials.
- Seasonal interest: 'Camelot Rose' blooms in late spring to early summer, helping to fill the gap after spring bulbs have faded and before summer flowers begin.
- Biennial lifecycle: In its two-year lifecycle, foxglove can self-seed and provide a continuous presence in the garden without needing to be replanted annually.
- Wildlife habitat: Foxgloves can provide shelter for small beneficial insects within their foliage.
Medical Properties- Cardiotonic: Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides which can strengthen heart muscle contractions and regulate heart rate.
- Heart Failure Treatment: The active constituents, particularly digitoxin and digoxin, have been traditionally used in managing certain heart conditions such as heart failure.
- Antiarrhythmic: Due to its influence on the cardiac muscle, foxglove can be used to correct certain types of heart rhythm disorders.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Foxglove can be used in dyeing fabric, with different parts of the plant producing various shades of color, such as light green or brown, depending on the mordant used.
- Foxglove flowers can be utilized in crafts like flower pressing, where they add a unique texture and color to handmade cards and bookmarks.
- The dried flowers of Foxglove can be incorporated into potpourri mixtures to lend their subtle shapes to the visual composition.
- Foxglove can be planted in gardens as a natural way to attract pollinators like bees, bumblebees, and hummingbirds, helping to pollinate other plants nearby.
- Some artists use the intricate patterns and colors of Foxglove blooms as inspiration for paintings, illustrations, or fabric designs.
- Garden designers sometimes use Foxglove to create a 'cottage garden' look, thanks to its height and rustic charm.
- In photography, the striking flowers of Foxglove serve as an excellent focal point or background in close-up nature portraits or still life compositions.
- Foxglove leaves can be used in small quantities as mulch, though they must be handled with care due to the presence of toxic compounds.
- Using Foxglove in garden borders can provide a habitat for beneficial insects that can help control garden pests.
- The tall and stately nature of Foxglove makes it suitable for creating vertical accents in flower arrangements and landscape designs.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Foxglove is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Foxglove is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as foxglove, is associated with healing due to its historical use in medicine to treat heart conditions.
- Protection: Foxglove is thought to protect individuals from negative influences. In folklore, it was believed that evil spirits could not harm those who carried foxglove.
- Insincerity: In the Victorian language of flowers, foxglove sometimes symbolizes insincerity, as the plant is poisonous and therefore has a deceptive beauty.
- Magic: The plant is also linked to magic and enchantment, with a history in folklore of being used in various rituals and said to have magical properties.
WaterFoxglove 'Camelot Rose' prefers consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Water the plant thoroughly once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time, which roughly equates to 0.6 gallons for a medium-sized plant. During hot or dry spells, water twice a week to maintain soil moisture. Always check the top inch of soil before watering; if it feels dry, it's time to water again. Overwatering can be detrimental, leading to root rot, so ensure good drainage and avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
LightFoxglove 'Camelot Rose' thrives in partial shade to full sun exposures. The ideal spot is one that receives morning sunlight and is protected from the intense afternoon heat, or a location with dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in deep shade as this may reduce flowering and cause foliage to become leggy.
TemperatureFoxglove 'Camelot Rose' can withstand cooler temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, which translates to minimum temperatures ranging from -30 to 20°F. The ideal temperature for growing foxglove lies between 60 and 75°F. Although it can tolerate light frost, prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can be harmful to the plant.
PruningPrune Foxglove 'Camelot Rose' after flowering by removing the spent flower spikes to encourage a second flush of blooms. If you prefer the plant to self-seed, leave the last flowers of the season unpruned. Pruning is generally done yearly, immediately after the main bloom period, which is usually in late spring to early summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFoxglove 'Camelot Rose' thrives in well-draining, moist, humus-rich soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A good mix might include equal parts loam, peat or compost, and coarse sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
RepottingFoxglove 'Camelot Rose' usually does not need frequent repotting as it is often grown as a biennial. Repotting should be done every 2-3 years if grown as a perennial, in the spring or early summer.
Humidity & MistingFoxglove 'Camelot Rose' does well in average garden humidity conditions; it does not require any special humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Choose partial shade, keep soil moist and well-drained.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleDigitalis purpurea 'Camelot Rose', commonly known as Foxglove 'Camelot Rose', begins its life as a seed, which requires stratification or a period of cold to germinate effectively. Upon germination, the seedling emerges, developing into a rosette of leaves in its first year, focusing on vegetative growth. The second year is when the biennial Foxglove 'Camelot Rose' sends up its characteristic flower spike, which can reach up to 4-5 feet in height and is covered with tubular, rose-pink flowers with speckled throats that are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. After blooming in late spring to early summer, the plant sets seeds, which are contained in capsule-like structures that split open to release them when mature. If conditions allow, these seeds may germinate to begin a new life cycle, or they may remain dormant until circumstances are favorable. Once the plant has set seed, it has completed its life cycle and typically dies, although some plants may occasionally behave as short-lived perennials.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method for propagating Foxglove 'Camelot Rose', which is a cultivar of Digitalis purpurea, is by seed. The best time to sow Foxglove seeds for this series is typically in late winter to early spring, allowing the plant to become established before the onset of cold weather. To propagate, one should gently press the seeds onto the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix, as they require light for germination. The container should be kept at around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius), and seeds usually germinate in 2 to 3 weeks. It’s important not to cover the seeds with soil, because they need light to germinate. Consistent moisture is necessary, and once seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots.
