Foxglove Digitalis 'Smoothie Cerise'
ABOUT
The Digitalis 'Smoothie Cerise', commonly known as Foxglove, is recognized for its striking flowers. This variety, 'Smoothie Cerise', specifically showcases a delightful shade of cerise, which can be described as a deep pink with a hint of red, giving the blooms an exquisite and vibrant look. Each flower bears a resemblance to a thimble or a long bell, arranged on a spike. The individual flowers are tubular and slightly pendulous, inviting a variety of pollinators with their bountiful shape. The petals have a subtle texture, with the inside speckled with darker spots that add to the ornamental quality of the plant. The foliage of the Foxglove 'Smoothie Cerise' consists of large, lance-shaped leaves that are a vibrant green, creating a lush backdrop for the bright flowers. Overall, the characteristic feature of 'Smoothie Cerise' is the charm of its rich, cerise-colored flowers that bloom along the stalks, creating a showy display that is both elegant and eye-catching.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Foxglove, Lady's Glove
Common names
Digitalis 'Smoothie Cerise'.
ToxicityTo humans
Foxglove is highly toxic to humans if ingested. It contains cardiac glycosides, which can cause severe symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and death.
To pets
Similarly, foxglove is toxic to pets. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, and possibly death. Immediate veterinary care is crucial.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Cerise
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- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant cerise-pink flowers to the garden, creating a striking visual impact.
- Attracts Pollinators: Welcomes bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting pollination.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a convenient choice for gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Can withstand periods of low water availability, which is useful in drier climates.
- Deer Resistance: Less preferred by deer, reducing the risk of damage to the plant in areas with deer populations.
- Long Flowering Season: Blooms for an extended period, often from late spring to early summer, providing long-lasting color.
- Vertical Interest: Tall flower spikes add height and structure to garden beds and borders.
- Versatility: Suitable for mixed borders, cottage gardens, and woodland plantings, offering various landscaping uses.
- Cut Flower: Makes an excellent cut flower for arrangements due to its tall spikes and vibrant color.
Medical Properties- Heart rate regulation: Digitalis, commonly known as Foxglove, contains digoxin and digitoxin, which can affect heart rate.
- Treatment of heart failure: Its compounds have been historically used to treat certain conditions of heart failure.
- Atrial fibrillation management: Digitalis-derived medications can help control the heart rate in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Drying for Crafts: The Digitalis 'Smoothie Cerise', commonly known as Foxglove, can be dried and used in floral arrangements and craft projects for a touch of natural beauty.
- Natural Dye: The flowers and leaves of the Foxglove can be used to produce natural dyes for textiles, yielding various shades of green and brown.
- Photography Subject: Foxgloves are often a sought-after subject for photographers, making a beautiful focus for garden and nature-inspired photography.
- Garden Design: With its tall spikes and vivid flowers, Foxglove is frequently used in garden design to create vertical interest and depth.
- Educational Tool: Foxglove can be used in educational settings to teach about plant life cycles, pollination, and botany due to its distinct characteristics.
- Wildlife Shelter: These plants can offer shelter to small insects and animals within a garden, contributing to local biodiversity.
- Mood Enhancer: The striking appearance of Foxgloves can have a positive effect on human moods when incorporated into garden designs or green spaces.
- Thematic Gardens: Foxglove fits well into themed gardens, such as fairy or medieval gardens, due to its historical and folkloric connotations.
- Garden Borders: Foxgloves can be planted along borders for a dramatic edge to paths and garden beds.
- Horticultural Research: Foxgloves are occasionally used in horticultural research due to their unique response to climate and soil conditions, enlightening growers on plant adaptation.
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, commonly known as Foxglove, has been used historically for medicinal purposes, particularly for treating heart conditions with its active compounds.
- Allure: The stunning, bell-shaped flowers of the Foxglove make it a symbol of attraction and magnetism, often used in gardens to add beauty.
- Insincerity: Despite its beauty, Foxglove is also associated with insincerity or falsehood, likely due to its toxic nature if ingested.
- Protection: In folklore, Foxgloves were thought to have protective qualities, particularly against evil influences and negative energies.
- Magic: The enchanting appearance of Foxgloves has also led to their association with magic and the realm of fairies in mythological stories.
WaterFoxgloves, such as 'Smoothie Cerise,' should be watered deeply and thoroughly once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Provide about 1 inch of water, which is roughly equivalent to 0.6 gallons per square foot of soil. During hot or dry spells, increase the frequency to twice a week. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can predispose the plant to fungal diseases. It's important to reduce watering during the winter months when the plant is dormant.
LightFoxglove 'Smoothie Cerise' thrives best in partial shade, ideally receiving morning sunlight and afternoon shade. An ideal spot would be one that is shielded from the intense heat of the midday sun. These plants can also grow in full sun in cooler climates or where summer temperatures are not excessively high. However, in hotter areas, ensure that they have protection from the harshest rays to prevent scorching of the leaves.
TemperatureFoxglove 'Smoothie Cerise' prefers a temperature range of 60°F to 80°F for optimal growth. It can survive minimum temperatures down to approximately 40°F and maximum temperatures up to about 90°F. However, consistently high temperatures may reduce the plant's vigor and flowering potential. Provide protection from extreme temperature fluctuations to maintain plant health.
PruningPrune Foxglove 'Smoothie Cerise' after blooming to encourage a second flush of flowers. Cut back the spent flower spikes down to the basal leaves. Pruning is typically done in late summer or as the flowers wane. Additionally, removing any damaged or diseased leaves throughout the growing season helps maintain plant health. Deadheading, or removing old flowers, can also promote further blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFoxglove 'Smoothie Cerise' thrives in well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. A pH level of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal to maintain healthy growth. When preparing soil mix, incorporating peat, compost, and perlite or sand can help achieve the right structure and fertility for this plant.
RepottingFoxglove 'Smoothie Cerise' is typically a biennial plant and may not require frequent repotting. Repotting can be done every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container, ensuring to use a fresh soil mix that meets its requirements.
Humidity & MistingFoxglove 'Smoothie Cerise' prefers moderate humidity levels; accommodating this plant in an environment with 50-60% humidity is generally adequate. Avoid extremely high humidity to prevent issues like fungal infections.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in filtered light, ensure moderate humidity for Foxglove 'Smoothie Cerise'.
Outdoor
Full sun to part shade, well-draining soil for Foxglove 'Smoothie Cerise'.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleDigitalis 'Smoothie Cerise', commonly known as Foxglove, begins life as a seed that germinates in moist, well-draining soil, typically in spring under partially shaded conditions. Seedlings emerge and establish a rosette of leaves at the ground level during their first year of growth. In its second year, the plant sends up a tall spike that bears numerous tubular, cerise-colored flowers, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After flowering, the plant produces capsules containing small seeds that disperse to propagate the next generation. The parent plant usually dies after seed production, completing its biennial life cycle. However, some cultivated varieties can occasionally exhibit perennial tendencies, regrowing for more than two years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Digitalis 'Smoothie Cerise', commonly known as Foxglove, is typically propagated by seed. The best time for sowing Foxglove seeds is usually in late spring to early summer, after the threat of frost has passed. To propagate by seed, prepare a well-draining soil mix and scatter the seeds on the surface, lightly pressing them into the soil but not covering them, as they require light for germination. Maintain consistent moisture and a temperature around 70°F (approximately 21°C), and expect germination to occur within 14 to 21 days. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots or spaced out in the garden. This method is favored due to its simplicity and effectiveness at producing true-to-type offspring if the parent plants are not hybrids.
