Lady's Gloves
After a misty start to the day, it stayed dry and fine, but never really got warm. I had a very happy day pottering about on various little projects that I enjoy, which, for me, is the essence of the perfect holiday. I got a bit of gardening done, too, and with everything ramping up and thriving, there were plenty of things to photograph. This started as a close-up shot of foxglove leaves, Digitalis purpurea, which I then edited in Photoleap AI to produce this more painterly abstract.
Lady's Glove plants, also known as foxgloves, are captivating wildflowers known for their tall, stately presence and striking bell-shaped flowers. These biennials or short-lived perennials typically reach heights of 1-2 meters, boasting a rosette of leaves at their base and a single, unbranched flowering stalk that emerges in the second year. The bell-shaped flowers, often a vibrant purple, gracefully adorn the stalk, sometimes completely encircling it in cultivated varieties. While the most common colour is purple, gardeners can also find Lady's Glove plants in shades of white, pink, and other hues, adding delightful pops of colour to gardens.
It's important to note that despite their undeniable beauty, all parts of the Lady's Glove plant are highly toxic if ingested. This characteristic, while a safety concern, has earned them other names like fairy gloves and fairy bells, reflecting their delicate appearance despite the hidden danger they pose.
Growing Lady's Glove plants is relatively straightforward. They thrive in zones 4-9, preferring partial shade and moist soil. Their biennial nature means they complete their life cycle in two years: forming a rosette of leaves in the first year and then flowering and producing seeds in the second year before dying back. However, they readily self-seed, ensuring a continued presence in your garden.
