Digitalis ferruginea

‘Gigantea Gelber Herold’

GOLDEN HERALD PERENNIAL FOXGLOVES

No Tas.

Digitalis ferruginea ‘Gigantea Gelber Herold’
GOLDEN HERALD PERENNIAL FOXGLOVES

Digitalis ferruginea ‘Gigantea Gelber Herold’ is a giant form of the already tall and elegant Rusty Foxglove.
Not permitted for entry into Tasmania.

Evergreen PERENNIAL Foxglove

Though Golden Herald is also conveniently perennial rather than a biennial.
So it is a permanent evergreen feature in the garden, and with you for many years.

Tough in heat & dry as a native of the Croatian island of Krk

And also much tougher than usual Foxgloves, as it is native to the hot and dry climate of the little island of Krk off the Croatian coast.
So this taller, larger flowered, and slightly more richly coloured version of the Giant Rusty Foxglove, has developed special qualities thanks to it’s isolated island home.

Gently rusting Foxgloves

Digitalis ferruginea ‘Gigantea Gelber Herold ‘ looks as if the flowers are gently rusting.
Because each rich coffee-gold, orchid like bloom, is veined with deep red and dark brown inside, and tipped with fine soft coffee hairs.
So these elegant leafy spires rise very tall above rosettes of dark green, pointed, leaves each spring.
With the rusty-coffee fox’s glove fingers packed closely up the slender spires.
Hence the common name of Giant Rusty Foxglove – the description fits perfectly.

Copes with dry & heat better

So this hardy perennial is ideal for adding height to a shady corner.
Just plant in a Part Shade to Shaded position and let it rust away, where it can cope with drier conditions than most Foxgloves.
Because it is naturally built to cope with more summer heat and drier conditions than normal Foxgloves, as well as hard frosty winters.

Impressive cut flowers

Surprisingly for its’ elegant towering height – Giant Rusty Foxglove is strongly self supporting in the garden – unless in a very windy site.
And makes an impressive cut flower, as long as you have a vase tall enough.

Cutting for best vase life

So for best vase life – the stems should be cut when about 1/3 of the bells have opened at the base of the spire.
Then they will continue to open up the stem whilst in the vase.

Bees & birds are in bliss

Our native honey-eating birds are in a frenzy of nectar gathering amongst these Perennial Foxgloves, especially with so many bells to visit.
While the bees and pollinating butterflies blissfully forage too, using the spots as landing lights in the flower throats.

While rabbits & deer won’t touch with a barge pole

However rabbits and deer give clumps of all Digitalis a wide berth.
They are perfectly aware that eating Foxgloves is toxic.
Though of course when used correctly, Foxglove chemical compounds are the basis of our modern, life-saving heart medications.

Perennial parent plus babies

Giant Rusty Foxglove will self seed with volunteer babies, as well as the original perennial clump going on for some years.
So let your shade garden happily go rusty.

Elegant 2m. High flower spires  x 0.75m Wide low, evergreen foliage rosette.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Can be scattered directly in the garden where they are to grow in spring.
OR
Sow in a punnet indoors for optimum germination & early quick plants. 

Sow indoors: Sow digitalis seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising mix at any time.
But Do not cover with mix as seed requires light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath, and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Place in warm well-lit place or on a heat mat, and cover with a plastic lid (remove as soon a sprouting commences).

We recommend germinating at 15-20°C for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep consistently moist moist at all times, by misting regularly with a spray water-bottle.
But do not saturate.

Seeds germinate in 14 to 30 days approx.
Pot on seedlings to harden off and mature before finally planting out in the garden.

Seed Count: 150 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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