Gardening Thread

[fishman65]

Gorgeous Vee, do they bloom often? Pricked out baby foxgloves before anxiety hit so well timed.

[AntsyVee]

They bloom usually once a year in late spring or summer. Although some more religious gardeners who keep them potted and move their locations can do micro seasons with them and let them bloom twice a year. I think they're indigenous to Hawaii...at least, I know there's a lot of them in Hawaii. Their fragrance is one of my favorites!

Aren't foxgloves poisonous?

[MyNameIsTerry]

They bloom usually once a year in late spring or summer. Although some more religious gardeners who keep them potted and move their locations can do micro seasons with them and let them bloom twice a year. I think they're indigenous to Hawaii...at least, I know there's a lot of them in Hawaii. Their fragrance is one of my favorites!

Aren't foxgloves poisonous?

Yeah (Digitalis) they tried to kill James Bond with it Casino Royale when she poisoned his glass.

[AntsyVee]

LOL Finally, something toxic that's not native to Australia

[Lolalee1]

LOL There are thousands of toxic plants and trees here in Aus

[AntsyVee]

LOL There are thousands of toxic plants and trees here in Aus

LOL And how many of those did you sample, Lola?

[fishman65]

Aren't foxgloves poisonous?

Oh yes very. The digitalin affects the heart but in tiny amounts is used medicinally like a number of plant toxins. I should probably wear gloves but have been growing them for a good few years now and I'm still here.
https://www.poison.org/articles/2015-mar/foxglove
Actually I just read through that link and it states that the berries are poisonous too. It doesn't produce berries.

[AntsyVee]

Oh yes very. The digitalin affects the heart but in tiny amounts is used medicinally like a number of plant toxins. I should probably wear gloves but have been growing them for a good few years now and I'm still here.
https://www.poison.org/articles/2015-mar/foxglove
Actually I just read through that link and it states that the berries are poisonous too. It doesn't produce berries.

Do you ever worry about the pets chewing on them?

[fishman65]

Do you ever worry about the pets chewing on them?

I used to Vee but the foxgloves were never touched. Ditto other toxic plants like delphiniums and their cousin monkshood (aconitum). Not that I've grown the last one, its a really beautiful plant but very poisonous. Anyway I digress. I sometimes wonder if pets can detect toxins, especially dogs who's sense of smell is way way superior to ours. Grass they would chew to induce vomiting, but never toxic plants.

[AntsyVee]

That's good to know. I've heard that aconitum is super toxic. I have a bush lillies and some calla lillies that I keep in an above ground, raised bed, because I'm paranoid of my cats chewing on them.