Fantastic Foxglove Companions: A Guide to Creating a Beautiful Garden

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The Importance of Companion Planting with Foxgloves

Foxgloves are beautiful and popular flowers that add color and height to any garden. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and look stunning in borders, beds, and containers. However, they also have some specific needs that must be met for them to thrive. One way to ensure the success of your foxgloves is by companion planting. Companion planting involves growing two or more plants together that benefit each other. In this article, we'll explore some of the best companion plants for foxgloves and why they work so well together.

15 Great Companion Plants for Foxgloves

1. Delphiniums

Delphiniums are tall, elegant flowers that come in shades of blue, pink, and white. They are perfect companions for foxgloves because they share similar growing conditions. Both plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist. Delphiniums bloom in early summer, which makes them an excellent choice for keeping your garden colorful after the foxgloves have finished blooming.

How to Grow Delphiniums with Foxgloves

When planting delphiniums with foxgloves, make sure to space them out enough to avoid overcrowding. Delphiniums can grow up to 6 feet tall, so plant them at the back of your border where they won't shade the foxgloves. They also need staking to prevent them from falling over in the wind.

2. Lupines

Lupines are another tall, spiky flower that pairs well with foxgloves. They come in a range of colors, including pink, blue, and purple. Like foxgloves, they prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They are also nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can help improve the soil quality for your foxgloves.

How to Grow Lupines with Foxgloves

Plant lupines with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Lupines can grow up to 4 feet tall, so make sure to space them out enough to avoid overcrowding. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

3. Salvia

Salvia is a versatile plant that comes in many different varieties, including annuals and perennials. They have spikes of flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. They are great companions for foxgloves because they share similar growing conditions. Both plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil.

How to Grow Salvia with Foxgloves

When planting salvia with foxgloves, make sure to space them out enough to avoid overcrowding. Salvia plants can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

4. Bee Balm

Bee balm, also known as Monarda, is a herbaceous perennial that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden. It has clusters of flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it attracts pollinators to your garden, which can help increase the yield of your other plants.

How to Grow Bee Balm with Foxgloves

Plant bee balm with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Bee balm can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

5. Yarrow

Yarrow is a hardy perennial that comes in a range of colors, including yellow, pink, and red. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it has a deep root system that helps improve the soil quality. It also attracts beneficial insects to your garden, such as ladybugs and lacewings.

How to Grow Yarrow with Foxgloves

Plant yarrow with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Yarrow can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

6. Verbascum

Verbascum, also known as mullein, is a biennial that has tall spikes of flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and white. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it shares similar growing conditions. Both plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil.

How to Grow Verbascum with Foxgloves

Plant verbascum with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Verbascum can grow up to 6 feet tall, so plant them at the back of your border where they won't shade the foxgloves. They also need staking to prevent them from falling over in the wind.

7. Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks are tall, spiky flowers that come in shades of pink, red, and white. They are an excellent companion for foxgloves because they add height and color to your garden. They also share similar growing conditions, preferring full sun and well-draining soil.

How to Grow Hollyhocks with Foxgloves

Plant hollyhocks with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Hollyhocks can grow up to 8 feet tall, so plant them at the back of your border where they won't shade the foxgloves. They also need staking to prevent them from falling over in the wind.

8. Campanula

Campanula, also known as bellflower, is a perennial that has bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it adds a different shape and texture to your garden. Both plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil.

How to Grow Campanula with Foxgloves

Plant campanula with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Campanula can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

9. Echinacea

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a hardy perennial that attracts bees and butterflies to your garden. It has daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it attracts pollinators to your garden.

How to Grow Echinacea with Foxgloves

Plant echinacea with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Echinacea can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

10. Daylilies

Daylilies are hardy perennials that come in a range of colors, including yellow, orange, and red. They are an excellent companion for foxgloves because they bloom after the foxgloves have finished blooming, which keeps your garden colorful throughout the summer.

How to Grow Daylilies with Foxgloves

Plant daylilies with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Daylilies can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

11. Catmint

Catmint is a hardy perennial that has spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it attracts bees and butterflies to your garden. It also has a long blooming season, which makes it an excellent choice for keeping your garden colorful.

How to Grow Catmint with Foxgloves

Plant catmint with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Catmint can grow up to 2 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

12. Iris

Iris is a hardy perennial that comes in a range of colors, including blue, purple, and white. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it blooms after the foxgloves have finished blooming, which keeps your garden colorful throughout the summer.

How to Grow Iris with Foxgloves

Plant iris with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Iris can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

13. Phlox

Phlox is a hardy perennial that has clusters of flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it blooms after the foxgloves have finished blooming, which keeps your garden colorful throughout the summer.

How to Grow Phlox with Foxgloves

Plant phlox with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Phlox can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

14. Liatris

Liatris, also known as blazing star, is a hardy perennial that has spikes of purple flowers. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it adds height and color to your garden. It also attracts beneficial insects to your garden, such as bees and butterflies.

How to Grow Liatris with Foxgloves

Plant liatris with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Liatris can grow up to 4 feet tall, so plant them at the back of your border where they won't shade the foxgloves. They also need staking to prevent them from falling over in the wind.

15. Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia, also known as black-eyed Susan, is a hardy perennial that has daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. It's an excellent companion for foxgloves because it blooms after the foxgloves have finished blooming, which keeps your garden colorful throughout the summer.

How to Grow Rudbeckia with Foxgloves

Plant rudbeckia with foxgloves in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Rudbeckia can grow up to 3 feet tall, so plant them in the middle or front of your border. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How do I care for my foxglove plants?

A1. Foxgloves prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. They also need regular watering to keep their roots cool and moist. Make sure to deadhead the spent blooms to encourage new growth.

Q2. Do foxgloves attract bees?

A2. Yes, foxgloves are attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Q3. Can I plant foxgloves in containers?

A3. Yes, foxgloves can be grown in containers as long as the container is deep enough to accommodate their long taproots.

Q4. How often should I fertilize my foxglove plants?

A4. Foxgloves don't require much fertilizer. A light feeding in the spring with a balanced fertilizer is all they need.

Q5. Can I plant foxgloves in the shade?

A5. Foxgloves prefer full sun to partial shade. They can tolerate some shade, but they won't bloom as well as they would in full sun.

In companion planting with foxgloves is a great way to create a beautiful and functional garden. By planting these 15 great companion plants with your foxgloves, you can improve soil quality, attract beneficial insects, and keep your garden colorful throughout the summer. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a beginner, these combinations are sure to impress.

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