Digitalis ferruginea
rusty foxglove
D. ferruginea is a vigorous biennial or perennial forming a rosette of dark green lance-shaped leaves, with tall racemes of tubular bell-shaped yellow-brown flowers 3.5cm in length in summer
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Highly toxic by ingestion. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
- Genus
Digitalis can be biennials or usually short-lived perennials forming a rosette of simple leaves with bell-shaped flowers in slender, erect, usually one-sided racemes
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Will grow in almost any soil or situation except very wet or very dry; ideal site is a humus-rich soil in partial shade. A perennial but often treated as a biennial.
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in late spring or propagate by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back main flower spike as it fades to encourage the growth of flowering side shoots
Pests
Can get aphids and leaf and bud eelworm
Diseases
May be affected by leaf spots and powdery mildews
Get involved
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