How to Grow and Care for False Foxgloves

Downy yellow false foxglove (Aureolaria virginica) is an indigenous eastern North American species. It’s also hemiparasitic, which means it sucks up nutrients and water from the roots of a host plant. However, downy yellow false foxglove is fussy and will only attach itself to the white oak. It gets the rest of its nourishment the way most other plants do—through photosynthesis.

The habitat of the smooth false foxglove (Aureolaria flava) includes savannas and open woodlands. It is associated with the white oak, on which it is partially parasitic. It attaches its fibrous roots to the roots of the tree and withdraws water and nourishment. The plant is a host of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly. Bumblebees and hummingbirds pollinate the flowers.

Combleaf yellow false foxglove, also recognized as the Comb-leaf Yellow False Foxglove, is a perennial herb with distinctive toothed leaves akin to a comb. It showcases narrow tubular yellow flowers that attract pollinators while thriving in well-drained soils. This plant is hemiparasitic, subtly siphoning nutrients from nearby trees and shrubs, an adaptation crucial for survival in competitive woodland understories.

The largeflower yellow false foxglove is noted for its large, showy flowers which are a beacon for pollinators. Thriving mainly in open woodlands and meadows, this elegant perennial adapts well to the dappled sunlight, enriching the habitat with its striking blooms. Its beauty is underscored by an array of bold yellow blossoms atop slender stems, a testament to its resiliency and ecological role.

Fernleaf yellow false foxglove is a perennial herb notable for its bright yellow, tubular flowers that bloom in late summer. It typically grows in dry forests and clearings, its roots often parasitically intertwined with oak trees, drawing nutrients. The plant's slender stems and fine, fern-like leaves allow it to blend with the surrounding flora, while it reaches for sunlight.