Monster foxglove plant!

Monkey Orchid · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 08:34 AM

My partner's dad recently emailed me this photo of a foxglove plant in his back garden, which had grown incredibly tall! He is 6 foot something, so I'm guessing that the plant must have been in the region of 8 feet high.

I've no idea why this one particular plant should have grown so much taller than any of the others in the same spot in their garden. Anyone got any thoughts?

Beekeeper · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 10:39 AM

Is it by chance in a heavily shaded area and being drawn to the light?

Monkey Orchid · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 06:52 AM

It's growing in a lightly-shaded area, as are the other foxglove plants growing rght next to it (which you can also see in the photo).

Hobjob · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:04 AM

I once saw several hundeds of such foxgloves, so much so that
it looked like a film-set. It really was "unbelievable".

The local wild-life trust had excavated an old pond in a shady wood
and the peat / old bracken banks had just come alive. My wife, who
is a shortie, and daughter were submerged by the flowers.

The next year there were plenty of foxgloves, but just a normal showing.
It was pre-digital so can't lay my hands on the photos.