84 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



like flowers in many colors — white, lilac, purple, rose and yellow — 

 with odd and various shadings and markings. They bloom in June 

 and July. 



D. purpurea is the commoner sort and bears purple to white 

 flowers. There is, however an interesting form of D. purpurea, known 

 as Monstrosa, or the Mammoth Foxglove, which has a large saucer- 

 shaped flower surmounting the spike. 



D. grandi flora (ambigua) is the yeflow^ flowered species. It has 

 smaller, narrower leaves and does not attain the height of D. purpurea. 



The Wooly Foxglove (D. lanata) is an interesting sort with long, 

 dense spikes of smafl, grayish flowers marked with yellow. This sort 

 does not resemble the other Foxgloves. 



Uses. They are planted in masses in the garden among the 

 shrubs, in solid beds, in the border, in the orchard or naturahzed on the 

 edge of the woods or along brooks. Wherever they are planted, they 

 give an appearance of strength and dignity. They are exceflent for 

 decorations where tall-spiked flowers are needed. 



Foxgloves are beautifully combined with Sweet Williams and 

 Hardy Grass Pinks. A whole border of this combination is suggested. 



Foxgloves need no edging plants as their foliage is most attractive, 

 even at the soil. 



Culture. Foxgloves succeed well in any garden soil which has 

 been enriched with old manure. They naturalize very readily in half- 

 shaded positions, but will grow in full sunhght if the ground is moist. 

 If the main flow ering stem is cut after it has finished blooming, many 

 others will come up. Liquid manure should be given to the plants 

 during the flowering season. They require a light Winter protection, 

 which must not be given, however, until after a good freezing of the 

 soil. Dry leaves or pine boughs will serve as a sufficient covering for 

 the fohage. Dampness, either from ill-drained soil or too much mulch- 

 ing, will injure the plants quicker than anything else. The leaves must 

 be kept dry and on mild days plenty of air should be given to prevent 

 sweating and heating. 



Propagation. Foxgloves are propagated most easily from seeds 

 which should be sown every year in order to have blooming plants the 

 next year. The Foxgloves are treated as biennials. The seed should be 

 sown in late Summer or Fall and wintered over in the coldframe. 

 When the plants are once estabfished they should not be disturbed, 

 although new plants can be started by root division. 



