The Foxglove plant

On June 15th 1906, Edith wrote,

‘I was quite surprized to come upon a bank of beautiful purple Fox-gloves today, - fully out: These are the first I have seen in flower.’

We also have the Foxglove beardtongue (or smooth Penstemon) Penstemon digitalis in our garden. The petals have a similar shape but different pattern inside.

‘It is thought that in 1775 Scottish doctor William Withering, persuaded a local gypsy to reveal the secret of her herbal heart remedy, unlocking the therapeutic potential of the foxglove and after ten years of research it entered into official use.’ Genus Gardenwear

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The Honeysuckle plant

We have both the Lonicera Japonica and Lonicera Periclymenum Serotina honeysuckle plants in our garden.  They have been in bloom since the end of May 2025. The yellow honey suckle (Japonica), is very aromatic. On June 16th 1906, Edith wrote,

‘The roses and honeysuckle are full of  bud, but they are late in bloom this year owing to the long spell of cold weather.’

We have had a dry and sometimes warm spring here hence the early flowers on this plant. 

‘The Victorians believed that growing honeysuckle near the home or in an arch over the front door would attract love, luck and wealth. It was also believed that this plant would protect the house and garden from negative spirits.’  I wonder if that’s regardless of whether in bloom or not as it’s a deciduous plant!

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The Yellow Loose-strife plant

The Yellow Loose-strife plant in our garden started blooming at the start of June 2025. On 21st July 1906 Edith wrote:

 ‘I crossed the meadows to the bank of the little river; where the Purple Loose-strife or Long Purples was just coming into flower’. 

She is in the Temple Balsall area at that point. As the loose-strife she sees is near the river, possibly in a more shaded/cooler area and causing it to bloom later than our yellow batch.   Interestingly, the Latin name Lysimachia for this plant comes from 'King Lysimachus of Thrace, Asia Minor and Macedon. He used certain plants of this genus to calm agitated animals, in particular cattle'.  It has also historically been used in other areas of medicine.

The background frame is based on an e-processed green brolly fabric.