Digitalis ferruginea
A tall, architectural foxglove producing dense spires of copper-toned flowers in midsummer. Basal rosettes are present and attractive through winter, while the spent stems darken and persist into autumn, extending the plant’s visual presence. Usually grown as a biennial, it reseeds politely and adapts well to a range of garden settings, from gravel beds to mixed borders in sun or light shade.
Growing Conditions
Light: full sun to part shade
Moisture: average
Soil: well-drained garden soils
Hardiness zone: 4
Maintenance: low
Size & Habit
Height (cm): 150
Spread (cm): 30
Habit: upright spire from basal rosette
Seasonal Interest
Flowering period: July–Aug
Seasonal interest: summer flowering; winter rosettes; persistent stems
Foliage: green
Flower: yellow-brown
Ecology & Notes
Wildlife value: pollinators
Deer/Rabbit resistance: moderate
Habitat: perennial borders; gravel gardens; mixed sun or light shade plantings
Features: tall architectural spires; copper-toned flowers; winter rosettes; reliable self-seeding
Notes: a strongly architectural species with tall, densely packed flower spikes; first-year rosettes are attractive through winter, while spent stems persist darkly into autumn; typically biennial, though occasional third-year flowering occurs; self-seeds reliably without becoming intrusive; performs equally well in gravel, sun, or shade borders