Rusty Foxglove [Digitalis ferruginea]

The rusty foxglove is a biennial wild perennial and medicinal plant native to various regions from Italy to Turkey, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as Syria and Lebanon. Medicinally, substances are extracted from the leaves to support treatments such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias. From the rosette of leaves that emerged in the first year, the impressive flowers appear in the second year, which are visited by many species of bees and bumblebees and are an eye-catcher in the garden. The plant is poisonous and not suitable for consumption.

General information
Plant family: Plantaginaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 160 days
Plant height approx.: 150 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium eater
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -18 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, dry, loamy, humus

pH value: 5.5 to 6.5

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-18 °C
Germination time: 7-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 40x40 cm

Optimal mixed culture: 
Unfavorable mixed culture: 

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from February to May or in autumn from September to October or pre-cultivate in small pots from February to May or in autumn from September to October.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from March to May or in late summer from July to August or pre-cultivate in small pots from March to May or in late summer from July to August..

General
Sow directly in rows or spread out. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible foxglove leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Foxglove prefers a sunny location with rather dry, permeable, nutrient-rich, humus and loamy soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
To keep the plants three years, cut off the spent inflorescences after flowering in the second year, so that they will sprout again with slightly smaller flowers the following year. The species is self-seeding. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds.

Plant care
Fertilize a little with plant manure in spring from the second year onwards to encourage stronger sprouting.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Digitalis ferruginea
English names: Rusty Foxglove
German names: Rostfarbener Fingerhut, Braunroter Fingerhut, Rotbrauner Fingerhut, Rostiger Fingerhut
Portuguese names: Dedaleira ferrugem, Dedaleira enferrujada
Spanish names: Dedalera oxidada
French names: Digitale rouillée