Rusty Foxglove [Digitalis ferruginea]

The biennial rusty foxglove is a wild perennial and medicinal plant that is used medicinally in the treatment of heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia. It develops impressive flowers that are visited by many species of bees and bumblebees. Ideal for direct sowing, no pot cultivation, sowing spring-summer-autumn, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
The rusty foxglove is a biennial wild perennial and medicinal plant that is native to various regions from Italy to Turkey, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as Syria and Lebanon. For medicinal purposes, substances are extracted from the leaves to support treatments such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia. In the second year, the impressive flowers appear from the rosette of leaves that develops in the first year and are visited by many species of bees and bumblebees, making them 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
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -18°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 5.5 to 6.5

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

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing from February to May or in autumn from September to October. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend direct sowing from March to May or in late summer from July to August. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Rusty foxglove does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
In order to keep the plants for three years, it is recommended to cut the flowers in the second year, so that they will sprout again the following year with slightly smaller flowers. The species sows itself. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is recommended to also work in biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Fertilizing with plant manure in spring from the second year onwards is recommended to encourage stronger growth.

 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

 Origin 
Country: Germany