Foxglove Digitalis 'John Innes Tetra'
ABOUT
The Digitalis 'John Innes Tetra', commonly known as the Foxglove, is a striking plant known for its distinctive tubular flowers. These blossoms exhibit a beautiful array of colors, often seen as a mix of pinks, purples, and whites, with some varieties bearing spots inside the flower bells. The flowers are arranged on a spike, which gives the plant a vertical accent in garden settings. The blossoms attract various pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds. Foxglove leaves are generally large, with a slightly furry texture and a rich green color, which forms a rosette at the base of the plant. The foliage may be slightly toothed along the edges and has prominent veining throughout. This plant provides a lush, green backdrop for the dramatic flower spikes that rise above it during its blooming period, which typically occurs in late spring to early summer. The overall appearance of Digitalis 'John Innes Tetra' is one of classic beauty, a perennial favorite in cottage gardens and traditional floral borders for its towering blossoms and vibrant charm.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae.
Synonyms
Foxglove, Lady's Glove, Witches' Gloves, Dead Men's Bells, Fairy Cap, Thimbles, Folk's Glove, Fairy Fingers, Fairy Thimbles.
Common names
Digitalis x mertonensis 'John Innes Tetra'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Digitalis, commonly known as Foxglove, is known to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, benefiting the local ecosystem.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Foxglove produces striking, tubular flowers that add height and visual interest to garden landscapes.
- Versatility: Suitable for cottage gardens, woodland plantings, and as a background plant in borders, offering a variety of landscaping options.
- Foliage Interest: Beyond its flowers, Foxglove has rosettes of green foliage that add texture to the garden even when not in bloom.
- Shade Tolerance: Prefers partial shade to full sun, making it a good choice for garden areas that do not receive constant sunlight.
- Naturalization: Foxglove can self-sow under the right conditions, leading to naturalized plantings that require less maintenance over time.
- Seasonal Color: Typically blooms during late spring to early summer, providing seasonal color when many other plants are not in peak bloom.
- Vertical Growth: Its tall spikes of flowers can reach up to several feet, offering vertical growth that can be useful in creating layered garden designs.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Watercolor Dye: The flowers of Foxglove can be used to create a natural dye for watercolor paintings, providing a range of colors from green to brown.
- Photography: Foxglove flowers are often used in macro photography due to their intricate patterns and attractive color gradients.
- Educational Tool: Foxglove can be used in schools or educational programs to teach about plant biology, specifically the anatomy of a flower and pollination processes.
- Garden Design: Foxglove is popular in cottage gardens and perennial borders for its height and striking blooms, which can enhance the vertical interest of garden designs.
- Fairy Gardens: Miniature fairy gardens can feature Foxglove flowers to create a whimsical, enchanted garden look, resembling the mythical habitats of fairies.
- Theme Gardens: Foxglove can be incorporated into theme gardens that evoke a certain era, such as Victorian or medieval gardens, due to its historical use in traditional gardens.
- Art Inspiration: Artists can use the dramatic appearance of Foxglove as a muse for paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art, capturing its distinctive form and colors.
- Ceramics: Images of Foxglove can be painted or etched into ceramics, providing a floral motif for pottery and dishware designs.
- Textile Patterns: The striking look of Foxglove can inspire textile designers to create patterns and prints for fabrics used in fashion and home decor.
- Wildlife Habitat: Planting Foxglove can help create a habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators which are attracted to its nectar-rich flowers.
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: The most common common name for Digitalis 'John Innes Tetra' is Foxglove. Historically, foxglove was used to create digitalis, a medication for heart conditions, symbolizing its power to heal.
- Protection: With its towering spires of bell-shaped flowers, the foxglove is also thought to provide protection, warding off negative forces and evil spirits.
- Insincerity: In the Victorian language of flowers, giving someone a foxglove could imply insincerity, possibly due to the plant’s poisonous nature despite its beautiful appearance.
- Magic: Foxglove is associated with magic and folklore, where it's believed to have magical properties and to be frequented by fairies, adding a touch of enchantment to the garden.
WaterFoxglove Digitalis 'John Innes Tetra' requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. During active growth in the spring and summer, water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, which may be about once a week, with approximately 1 to 2 gallons depending on the size of the plant and environmental conditions. In the cooler months, reduce the frequency to every two weeks or when the soil is dry to the touch. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf spot diseases and ensure water directly at the base of the plant.
LightFoxgloves prefer partial shade to full sun, which means the ideal spot for Digitalis 'John Innes Tetra' is where it can receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to poor flowering and weak growth.
TemperatureDigitalis 'John Innes Tetra' enjoys temperate climates with temperatures ideally between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but avoid exposure to frost. During hot summers, ensure that temperatures do not exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods.
PruningPrune Foxglove Digitalis 'John Innes Tetra' to remove spent flower spikes and encourage a second bloom. Deadheading, or cutting back the spent flowers, can be done throughout the blooming period. After flowering, cut back the entire flower stalk to base to tidy up the plant and, if desired, to prevent self-seeding. The best time for pruning is immediately after the flowers have faded.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Foxglove 'John Innes Tetra' should be rich, well-draining, and loose, containing a mixture of loam, peat or leaf mold, and coarse sand in equal parts. Its preferred soil pH ranges from 6.0 to 7.0, slightly acidic to neutral.
RepottingFoxglove 'John Innes Tetra' doesn't typically require frequent repotting as it is often treated as a biennial. Repot only when it outgrows its current container or every 2-3 years to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingFoxglove 'John Innes Tetra' thrives in average humidity conditions, without the need for excessive humidity levels. Normal room humidity is generally sufficient for this plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleDigitalis 'John Innes Tetra', commonly known as Foxglove, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. The seedlings then develop into a rosette of leaves in their first year, undergoing vegetative growth. In its second year, the plant produces a tall, erect flower spike adorned with tubular, bell-shaped flowers that are often pink, purple, or white and spotted within. After pollination by bees and other insects, the flowers develop into seed capsules that release seeds for the next generation. The plant is biennial, completing its life cycle in two years, dying after seed production, although it may self-seed and give the appearance of being a perennial in ideal conditions. Some individual plants may persist for an additional season if they do not flower and set seed in their second year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Foxglove 'John Innes Tetra' is by sowing seeds. The best time to sow Foxglove seeds is late spring to early summer. Sprinkle the small seeds on top of a well-draining seed starting mix in a tray or pots, and lightly press them into the soil, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist and in a location with indirect light and temperature around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius). Germination usually occurs within 2 to 3 weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out and transplant them to their final location in the garden during the cooler months.
