Life must be filled up

I absolutely love foxgloves; they’re second only to primroses in my affections. Last year, I was terribly disappointed not to have a single one in the garden but this year, they’re *everywhere*. Unfortunately, being self-seeded, some have put themselves in the ‘wrong’ places. They might be crowding perennials which need space to grow, or they’re right out of sight, beside the shed (where they are feeding grossly off the compost heap). Some are five-foot spires, not yet in flower, others flowering merrily although they look stunted. I potted up some small ones, intending to plant them out later for next year, only to find a couple of them determined to flower in their pots. I gave those to the neighbours.

What to do with the rest? My solution was to use this old watering can as an outdoor flower vase, so as not to waste the flowers. The can was a present years ago but is now too heavy for me to use when full of water, so I keep it as a garden decoration. Now I have something nice to look at from the window while I wait for the full glory of the display when all the foxgloves are flowering in various parts of the garden. Always something to look forward to.

In other gardening news: why does it never rain on me?

Pic of can on LJ.

I love foxgloves and now is their prime time. They’re all over the garden, mostly two to three feet high and in an array of pinks. I’m slightly disappointed that there will probably only be one white one this year. I plant out a row of these in front of the shed each year and one has turned into a monster. I’ve already had my photo taken with it, to show that it was a foot taller than I am. It keeps on growing and is now above the guttering and touching the roof. Luckily the recent storms haven’t damaged the foxgloves at all. That’s what we like: tough plants which are good doers.
( the big ones )

I love foxgloves and the spotty ones are my favourites. I don't mind where they seed themselves but they're very easy to move to wherever you want them. When they've finished flowering I leave any white or pale coloured ones to seed, in hope of getting some interesting crosses.
( more pics )

I just received an email with this header:



The most expensive plant is £8.99. if anyone would like a seedling for nothing, come round to my garden.