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Summary

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

Physical Characteristics

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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

D. aurea.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cardiac Stimulant Tonic

The leaves are cardiac, stimulant and tonic[46, 61]. They are often used in the treatment of certain heart complaints.

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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[1]. It also succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant[188, 190]. It prefers semi-shade but succeeds in full sun if the soil is moist[188, 200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[187]. This species is a short-lived perennial[187] and is best grown as a biennial[188]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer and rabbits[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Suitable for cut flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow early spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c[175]. 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[188].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Medicinal	Other
Digitalis grandiflora	Large Yellow Foxglove	Perennial	0.9	3-10	M	LMH	SN	DM	2
Digitalis laevigata		Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	SN	DM	2
Digitalis lanata	Grecian Foxglove	Biennial/Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	SN	DM	4
Digitalis lutea	Yellow Foxglove, Straw foxglove	Perennial	0.6	0-0		LMH	SN	DM	4	1
Digitalis purpurea	Foxglove, Purple foxglove, Common Foxglove	Biennial	1.2	4-8	M	LMH	SN	DM	4	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Digitalis ferruginea - L.