Fairy Thimbles and Ferns in the Irish Countryside

Fairy Thimbles and Ferns in the Irish countryside.

Sunny weather has triggered the annual explosion of color in the Irish countryside as Foxglove, the brilliant purple wildflower also called “Fairy Thimbles,” blooms alongside ferns and other greenery.

Foxglove is a biennial native species that flowers from June to August in Ireland.

As beautiful as it is, it’s also poisonous and considered unlucky to bring these flowers into the house.

Interestingly, the plant also is a lifesaver in some respects — it contains digitoxin and digoxin, substances used in  in heart medications.