Rusty Foxglove
Digitalis ferruginea

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Red. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Upright or erect.

Digitalis ferruginea is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Woods, grassy clearings, rocky slopes and scrub to 2700 metres.

S. and S.E. Europe to W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The leaves are cardiac, stimulant and tonic. They are often used in the treatment of certain heart complaints.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, especially if it is rich in organic matter. It also succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant. It prefers semi-shade but succeeds in full sun if the soil is moist. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. This species is a short-lived perennial and is best grown as a biennial. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer and rabbits. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Suitable for cut flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow early spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Another report says that the seed is best sown in the autumn.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Biennial/Perennial

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

D. aurea.