Digitalis ferruginea

Rusty foxglove

Location

The Temple Garden.

Description:

A short-lived hardy perennial native to the northern Mediterranean H 1.2m (4ft), S 30cm (1ft). It produces oblong to lance shaped dark green leaves, sometimes hairy underneath 5-20cm (2-8in) long. In summer, racemes of golden brown flowers 3.5cm (1.5in) long which have rich red to dark brown veins inside are produced.

Site and Care:

Foxgloves are good for a border or naturalizing in woodland. They can be grown in almost any soil and situation, except very wet or very dry, although most prefer humus-rich soil in partial shade. They self seed profusely, so unless seedlings are required dead head after flowering. Deadheading will provide a secondary flush of bloom. Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in late spring.