Fallen foxglove

Foxgloves can choose to grow in the oddest places. I’m forever replanting them from pots and paving stones. This one has grown very tall – maybe 6 feet? – and wide, and has inadequate root space to anchor it. You have to dodge around it to get through the gate. Already bent over by the wind, it was defeated by the rain this morning and ‘fainted’ across the deck. The mighty foxglove fell and I didn’t hear it!

Bees were still visiting the flowers. Here’s one just backing out:

A rescue effort was launched – a bit late, but anyway. I cut off the top flower stem and put it in a watering can in the hope that the buds at the top might still open. Then I tied the remaining plant to a stake with some of Mum’s very useful old panty hose (the best use for panty hose in my opinion). Bees were all over it in no time.

We will still be dodging around it to get out the gate, but that’s customary in my um, wild? overgrown? – ah, enthusiastic! garden.