We have lots of self sown foxgloves on the plot which for the most part - unless they have chosen a really inconvenient spot - I leave to flower.
Originally we sowed two varieties of seed - Excelsior Mixed Hybrids and a shorter variety - Foxy. Over the years cross pollination has meant that we have ended up with a variety of colours. This year one plant has produced pretty bi-coloured flowers.
A couple of plants growing alongside one another have produced flowers with no markings on the throat.
As the markings act as honeyguides directing bees into the flower I wondered whether these would fail to attract pollinators, however, I saw bees still popping in and out of the florets.
Maybe the markings are still there and detectable by the bees; they can see ultra violet light and so can see colours invisible to us. Or maybe the bees pick up on the electric charge that is apparently given off by flowers that are ripe for pollination.
The speckled flowers are certainly well attended.
PS: Guess what we had for dinner last night click here to find out.
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They are just as lovely without their markings. It must be a good year for foxgloves, my garden is full of them, way more than any other year.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely, Jo and the bees agree!
DeleteI adore foxgloves. Great photos, I especially love the ones with the bees :o)
ReplyDeleteWaiting for the bees to choose a 'glove' facing me so I could get a photo and then shooting on their way in was the hard bit, Julie. Coming out they were too quick and went out of focus!
DeleteI think I like those freckled white ones the best, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty, Jo but I wish I could view them as the bees see them - out of interest!
DeleteI had some Foxgloves in my garden for a couple of years, but they were really too big, and they dominated everything else, so I don't grow them now. I shall admire yours instead!
ReplyDeleteI hope it is going to be a good year for Strawberries, by the way. My few plants have lots of fruit but it is still a long way off being ripe.
Foxy is a smaller variety, Mark - it's shorter but I can't remember whether the plants spread as wide as the normal sized ones.
DeleteFingers tightly crossed on the strawberry front.
I'm a big fan of floxgloves. They're quite pretty. I generally leave them where they self seed. Your last photos is lovely with the bee dipping in.
ReplyDeleteI leave them where they are not in the way, Kelli but they do tend to stray in amongst the vegetables.
DeleteYes, lovely bee pics. I like the white foxglove with pink speckles best, though they're all lovely
ReplyDeleteI like them, Belinda.
DeleteBeautiful! I can't keep them alive here, so thank you for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Tpals.
DeleteSo loved but the insects Sue...my list for the bee plot is getting rather long..lol
ReplyDeleteAt least with these you should only have to sow once, Tanya. Have you researched which flowers are best for honey production as I know honey tastes different from bees browsing different flowers.
DeleteWhy do I always love seeing Foxgloves in other peoples gardens but can never like them in my own! You have some lovely ones there Sue.
ReplyDeleteIt's a case of where they are appropriate, Angie
Deleteawesome post as always
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda
DeleteOh my gosh those strawberries looked so delicious. I haven't grown any for a few years but I wish I had now.
ReplyDeleteI've never grown foxglove either as I've never really taken any notice of them but I have to say your ones looks lovely.
Maybe one for you wild area, Linda
DeleteWhat a strange thing....a spotless foxglove! They are still gorgeous though and the bees seem quite happy.xxxx
ReplyDeleteThey seemed not to mind the lack of spots, Snowbird.
DeleteHi Sue! I have lots of self sown foxgloves too and I just love them. Like you I only move them if they're in a totally inconvenient place. I have a triple sprouting one this year - not sure how else to describe that really?! I'll have to take a photo..
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing that, Anna
DeleteI love foxgloves and it was lovely to see the range in your garden/allotment, the bees just love them and make such a racket when they are in the flower.
ReplyDeleteThe buzzing does echo inside those bells, Annie
DeleteI love foxgloves too, had them in my garden years ago when I had more space but didn't let them set seeds. These days I have no room for them but wish I had, they look so lovely. I have some penstemons instead, not exactly the same but at least not so big :-)
ReplyDeleteWE have penstemons in the front garden Helene. Great plants that flower for ages - ours are just opening.
DeleteI like them but never good at growing them.
ReplyDeleteBut they did bid me a lovely farewell in my Adelaide garden last year.
I'm guessing they are not happy in your climate, Diana
DeleteI think that foxgloves are the intrinsic element of English gardens!
ReplyDeleteYes very cottage garden, Dewberry
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