How to Grow and Care for False foxgloves

Prairie false foxglove (Agalinis heterophylla) is an annual plant whose dark green stems are smooth with grooves. It blooms summer to fall with violet blue tubular flowers. Prefers full sun to partial shade in rich moist soil. Attracts a variety of bees caterpillars and butterflies.

Slender false foxglove (Agalinis tenuifolia) is a hemiparasitic species. "Hemiparasitic" means that while it engages in the process of photosynthesis, it needs to steal raw materials from a host plant to do so. The plant is a favorite food source for common buckeye butterfly larvae.

The purple false foxglove (Agalinis purpurea) is native to the eastern United States and Canada. Its tubular purple flowers attract various long-tongued bees. The caterpillars of the Common Buckeye butterfly feed on the foliage. It is partially parasitic on other plants, particularly grasses. It connects its roots with those of its host and draws out sugars and proteins.

The small-flower false foxglove (Agalinis paupercula) has pink flowers with purple spots that are very similar to the colors of the foxglove, but it is a quite different species. This plant is a hemiparasite that steals nutrients from the roots of nearby plants. It is a widespread species across North America, but is listed as endangered in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Beach false foxglove is a slender, erect annual herb that blooms with clusters of tubular, pink to purplish flowers. The narrow leaves grow in dense whorls, presenting a feather-like appearance. Thriving in open woods and grassy fields, beach false foxglove requires a sunny environment and is adapted to survive among taller plants, using its elongated stature to gain access to sunlight.