Foxglove from Madeira?

[Chris Hogg]

On Countrywise last night Rachel de Thame was talking to the head of
the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor, I.o.W., on how sub-tropical plants
were becoming easier to grow as the climate warmed, and the subject of
foxgloves came up. He said that there was a magnificent species from
Madeira that could be used in gardens to replace our own native
foxglove, if the climate became too warm for the latter. Does anyone
know what that species might be and where I might get seed?

Incidentally, I thought the gardens were wonderful; a rival to Tresco,
surely.

[Jeff Layman]

Post by Chris Hogg
On Countrywise last night Rachel de Thame was talking to the head of
the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor, I.o.W., on how sub-tropical plants
were becoming easier to grow as the climate warmed, and the subject of
foxgloves came up. He said that there was a magnificent species from
Madeira that could be used in gardens to replace our own native
foxglove, if the climate became too warm for the latter. Does anyone
know what that species might be and where I might get seed?

Nothing on indigenous or introduced digitalis species in Rui Vierira's
book "Flores da Madeira".

But she was probably referring to Isoplexis sceptrum, a relative of
digitalis (as it's a member of the Scrophulariaceae). I have seen it
grown in the UK, and it does look good, but I doubt that it would
survive more than one mild winter outside, even with wall protection.

The problem with most Madeiran plants is that they almost never
experience frosts, so have no chance to adapt to them. Mind you,
Geranium maderense seems to survive fairly well in many gardens,
although not as well as G. palmatum, with which is can be confused.

[Stewart Robert Hinsley]

Post by Jeff Layman

Post by Chris Hogg
On Countrywise last night Rachel de Thame was talking to the head of
the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor, I.o.W., on how sub-tropical plants
were becoming easier to grow as the climate warmed, and the subject of
foxgloves came up. He said that there was a magnificent species from
Madeira that could be used in gardens to replace our own native
foxglove, if the climate became too warm for the latter. Does anyone
know what that species might be and where I might get seed?

Nothing on indigenous or introduced digitalis species in Rui Vierira's
book "Flores da Madeira".

Google finds me Digitalis purpurea subsp. maderense ined.

<URL:http://www.rareplants.de/shop/product.asp?strParents=71&CAT_ID=318&P
_ID=6169>

Post by Jeff Layman
But she was probably referring to Isoplexis sceptrum, a relative of
digitalis (as it's a member of the Scrophulariaceae). I have seen it
grown in the UK, and it does look good, but I doubt that it would
survive more than one mild winter outside, even with wall protection.

But Google also finds me that species being called Giant Madeira
Foxglove, so I agree that it's more likely that this is what was being
referred to.

Post by Jeff Layman
The problem with most Madeiran plants is that they almost never
experience frosts, so have no chance to adapt to them. Mind you,
Geranium maderense seems to survive fairly well in many gardens,
although not as well as G. palmatum, with which is can be confused.

[Sacha]

On 2010-10-05 09:37:34 +0100, Stewart Robert Hinsley

Post by Stewart Robert Hinsley

Post by Jeff Layman

Post by Chris Hogg
On Countrywise last night Rachel de Thame was talking to the head of
the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor, I.o.W., on how sub-tropical plants
were becoming easier to grow as the climate warmed, and the subject of
foxgloves came up. He said that there was a magnificent species from
Madeira that could be used in gardens to replace our own native
foxglove, if the climate became too warm for the latter. Does anyone
know what that species might be and where I might get seed?

Nothing on indigenous or introduced digitalis species in Rui Vierira's
book "Flores da Madeira".

Google finds me Digitalis purpurea subsp. maderense ined.
<URL:http://www.rareplants.de/shop/product.asp?strParents=71&CAT_ID=318&P
_ID=6169>

Post by Jeff Layman
But she was probably referring to Isoplexis sceptrum, a relative of
digitalis (as it's a member of the Scrophulariaceae). I have seen it
grown in the UK, and it does look good, but I doubt that it would
survive more than one mild winter outside, even with wall protection.

But Google also finds me that species being called Giant Madeira
Foxglove, so I agree that it's more likely that this is what was being
referred to.

We have Isoplexis canariensis and while it's foxglove-like, it's got
distinct differences in flower form! I. canariensis is a sort of warm
amber colour and it flowers later than foxgloves do. What's more we
would never suggest anyone left it outside with any confidence.
There's nothing to stop it being grown in pots and going out for the
summer but it does need greenhouse protection in winter, just to be on
the safe side.

[Bob Hobden]

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote ...
Jeff Layman writes

Post by Stewart Robert Hinsley

Post by Jeff Layman

Post by Chris Hogg
On Countrywise last night Rachel de Thame was talking to the head of
the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor, I.o.W., on how sub-tropical plants
were becoming easier to grow as the climate warmed, and the subject of
foxgloves came up. He said that there was a magnificent species from
Madeira that could be used in gardens to replace our own native
foxglove, if the climate became too warm for the latter. Does anyone
know what that species might be and where I might get seed?

Nothing on indigenous or introduced digitalis species in Rui Vierira's
book "Flores da Madeira".

Google finds me Digitalis purpurea subsp. maderense ined.

http://www.rareplants.de/shop/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=291&P_ID=6169&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1

That was the one, solid deep pink flowers.
Looked stunning but I have doubts about it's hardiness on the "North Island"
(UK Mainland).

[Dave Poole]

Post by Jeff Layman
But she was probably referring to Isoplexis sceptrum, a relative of
digitalis (as it's a member of the Scrophulariaceae).  I have seen it
grown in the UK, and it does look good, but I doubt that it would
survive more than one mild winter outside, even with wall protection.

I had both Isoplexus sceptrum and canariensis growing and flowering
outside for 10 years before the former had to be lifted (they don't
like disturbance so no guesses as to what happened next) and the
latter became too shaded out. I. sceptrum has the nicer leaves, but
canariensis has better flowers over a longer period - all summer long
when well established. Both are undoubtedly cold sensitive when
exposed to successive frosts, but the occasional ones we normally get
here had no effect and on several occasions, canariensis continued to
flower during winter. Nothing to do with Digitalis purpurea ssp.
maderense of course, but I just felt like being contradictory :-)

[Jeff Layman]

Post by Dave Poole

Post by Jeff Layman
But she was probably referring to Isoplexis sceptrum, a relative of
digitalis (as it's a member of the Scrophulariaceae). I have seen it
grown in the UK, and it does look good, but I doubt that it would
survive more than one mild winter outside, even with wall protection.

I had both Isoplexus sceptrum and canariensis growing and flowering
outside for 10 years before the former had to be lifted (they don't
like disturbance so no guesses as to what happened next) and the
latter became too shaded out. I. sceptrum has the nicer leaves, but
canariensis has better flowers over a longer period - all summer long
when well established. Both are undoubtedly cold sensitive when
exposed to successive frosts, but the occasional ones we normally get
here had no effect and on several occasions, canariensis continued to
flower during winter. Nothing to do with Digitalis purpurea ssp.
maderense of course, but I just felt like being contradictory :-)

Vous? Contradictory? Surely not!

[kay]

The Madeira foxglove is Digitalis sceptrum, more frequently known in th
horticultural trade as Isoplexis sceptrum. A frequent poster on thi
forum has this to say about it: 'Isoplexis sceptrum
(http://tinyurl.com/26d2bwf)

If our climate becomes warm enough to reliably grow outdoors a specie
which tolerates only -2 deg C, we'll have a lot more to worry about tha
finding a replacement for our garden foxgloves


--
kay

[Chris Hogg]

Thanks for the replies. I know and used to grow Isoplexis sceptrum,
but last winter saw it off. I just wondered if there was anything that
was more like our native foxglove. SRHS's Digitalis purpurea subsp.
maderense looks more like it, a little taller than our native but
superficially very similar.