Tenacious foxgloves

My solitary, pink foxglove nods in the wind this most blustery, June day.

Advised to refrain from mowing the lawn (for my late husband and I planted many trees I must now mow under), I observe my one and only digitalis purpurea from my open, sliding kitchen door wall. 

Indeed, Mitty and Cuddles won't step a paw outdoors! The only outside sounds are wind in the leaves and birdsong when the roaring eases. 

With a steamy cup of organic dandelion and peach tea in hand, I feel like a wimp, have yet to summons the nerve to retrieve my mail. 

As we're both dedicated to living long, healthy, productive lives, some months ago, my youngest daughter, Ruth, gifted me the box of certified organic tea by Bigelow.  

I enjoy the delicious flavor, particularly with a mocha pecan lavender scone.

Yet, today I have no scones in the house, so I carried a handful of whole-roasted cashews to my desk with my cup. 

For I'd like to share with you, dear Reader, my history and significance of this little, pink foxglove. 

No, she's not robust like her ancestors we see on the internet. Even the wildlings in fields may reach six feet tall with lush blooms, so I've read.

Yet, I admire my solitary foxglove, her tenacity for sprouting earlier this spring with a fellow foxglove between a boulder and a slate slab within the backyard's terrace. In shade, no less.

To my utmost joy, I announced the appearance of their foliage to my friend, Mary Ellen, while we weeded the slate terrace together.  

The genuine smile of a fellow gardener who understands the behavior of a finicky biennial broke upon her face.

To our disappointment, without any evidence of disease or neglect on my part, one of the foxgloves perished this spring. However, the solitary, pink foxglove grew to three feet with only the fertilizer of my affection. 

Hmm…perhaps several doses of my foliar spray would encourage fuller growth.

This inspires me with ideas for next spring. If my foxglove success this summer is 50%, perhaps if I plant ten foxgloves, at least five will possess tenacity. 

Meanwhile, I'll consult my local garden retailer for his advice to promote foxglove's health and longevity. 

You see, I envision the slate garden lined both sides, up and down steps with foxgloves of various colors, my favorite being pink. 

However, I'd like to experiment with the yellow, red, and apricot varieties. And the white.

Oh! The windchimes on the front porch outside my study window sing, "Bless this home and all who enter." 

Lastly, I see a vase of tenacious foxgloves will someday bless this house and all who enter.

Contact Iris at irisfarmletters@gmail.com