The foxglove and the bee

Digitalis, Foxglove, 'Apricot Beauty' is now at it's peak in the garden. Full of irony, being both toxic to humans but containing digitalis, a substance that has properties effective in the treatment of heart disease, it is perhaps most associated with it's tall slender spikes of layered bells or 'gloves'. The bumble bee, it's most frequent visitor, checking out each bell in turn in a magical, complimentary relationship of pollination and feeding. Perhaps, not surprisingly, we have not felt able to cut any flower spikes for bouquets yet.