Monstrosa Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea monstrosa. Here is a flower for lovers of the exotic. Because of a naturally occurring single recessive gene, this standard foxglove starts its flowering season with one oversized bowl-shaped flower at the top of the stem, followed by the more traditional stalk of regular flowers that bloom from the bottom upward. The result is a gloriously strange talking point in the flower garden.

All this is due to a floral genetic mutation known as 'terminal peloria.' That is, the terminal (end-most) flower is symmetrical radially, rather than having the single line of symmetry found in regular foxglove flowers. Other flowers with singular lines of symmetry include mints and orchids. These flowers are typically symmetrical to a vertical line splitting the flower in half. When nature abandons that symmetry, the results are very noticeable.

Otherwise, Mostrosa Foxgloves are cared for like the familiar cottage garden flowers. They grow in full sun to partial shade in rich, moist soil. All parts of the plants are poisonous, so they are resistant to deer and rabbits.