FOXGLOVE. 19 



universal ; but in the Eastern counties it is s-carce and 

 poor, in the Western counties abundant and splendid^ while 

 in the ^Midlands it very much avoids ^-alleys and open 

 plains, but attains to a distinct power in the summer 

 season where\er the rainfall is considerable. Thus, in 

 the dales of the Peak district^ and throughout the Lake 

 country, and all through the western coasts, on hard rock, 

 on poor gravel, and on railway banks, the foxglove is con- 

 spicuoas for frequency and splendour. Perhaps nowhere 

 in England is there a finer displa}' of its flowers than on 

 the road from Buxton to Leek, and in but few places 

 does it attain to such richness of colour as on that road, 

 and also on the water-shed over which passes the railway 

 line between Dolgelly and Llangollen, in mid- Wales. 



When grown as a garden flower the foxglove should 

 never be planted in a dr}-, breezy, starving situation. To 

 be elevated is quite to its liking, if it is sheltered by 

 leafy surroundings ; but often an elevated site is too arid 

 for this moisture-loving beavrty, and the fernery, or any 

 snug nook of a leafy kind and a little wild in character, 

 would promote a fine growth, and at the same time set off 

 the peculiar beauties of the jdant. We have never seen 

 foxgloves more happily placed for decorative effect than 

 on the rockery in the Royal Gardens, Kew, where, 

 in truth, they constitute what is called a sensation, for at 

 the entrance to the defile they rise high above our heads, 

 and we see their fine spires of purple, rose, crimson, and 

 pure white flowers, partly against the blue sky and partly 

 against cono-enial greenery. 



In common with lilies, foxgloves associate well with 

 rhododendrons ; and although in a mixed border the third 

 or fourth row is the proper place for them, they appear to 



