With their tall spires of bell-shaped flowers, foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are unmistakable in the garden. But several other plant species share the foxglove’s distinctive foliage. Do you love the look of foxgloves but don’t want to deal with their biennial blooming cycle?
Or maybe you’re concerned about their toxicity to humans and animals? If so, you’re in luck! There are plenty of other plants with similar foliage that will give your garden that same Foxglove look without any of the hassles.
The following plants all have leaves that look similar to those of the foxglove, making them good substitutes in the garden if you’re looking for a foxglove alternative.
Here are five Foxglove Look-a-like Plants:
Columbine
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) is a genus of about 60-70 species of flowering plants that are native to the Northern Hemisphere. Like foxgloves, columbines have compound leaves with five or more leaflets.
They also produce showy, bell-shaped flowers, although the colors of these flowers can vary widely depending on the species.
Coral Bells
Coral bells (Heuchera spp.) are a genus of about 50 species of perennial herbs that are native to North America. They get their common name from their bell-shaped flowers, which are typically coral-colored. However, some species may have white, pink, or purple flowers. Coral bells also have compound leaves, although the leaflets are usually much smaller than those of foxgloves.
Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spp.) are a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous plants that are native to North America and Asia. As their name suggests, they have heart-shaped flowers that are typically pink or red. Like foxgloves and columbines, bleeding hearts also have compound leaves. However, their leaves usually have only three leaflets.
Japanese Anemone
Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis) is a species of flowering plant that is native to China and Japan. It grows to be about 2-3 feet tall and has large, showy flowers that can be white, pink, or purple. Japanese anemone also has compound leaves, although the leaflets are usually much larger than those of foxgloves.
False Foxglove
False foxglove (Agrostis gigantea) is a species of grass that is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It can grow to be up to 6 feet tall and has small, inconspicuous flowers. However, it does have leaves that are similar in appearance to those of foxgloves.
While they may not be true foxgloves, these five plants definitely have similar foliage to the plant. So, if you’re looking for a plant with beautiful compound leaves, be sure to check out one of these five species!
How to Tell the Difference Between Foxgloves and Their Look-Alikes
Foxgloves are one of the most beautiful and distinctive flowers you’ll find in the wild. But they’re not the only flower that looks similar to them. In fact, there are several other flowers that share many of the same characteristics. So how can you tell the difference between foxgloves and their look-alikes?
Here are a few key things to look for:
Color
One of the easiest ways to tell foxgloves and their look-alikes apart is by their color. Foxgloves are typically a deep purple or pink color. Their look-alikes, on the other hand, come in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, and even green.
Size
Foxgloves are also typically larger than their look-alikes. So if you’re trying to identify a flower and you’re not sure if it’s a foxglove or not, size can be a helpful clue.
Shape
The shape of the flower is another key difference. Foxgloves have a long, slender tube shape. Their look-alikes, however, tend to be more open and cup-shaped.
Location
Another way to tell foxgloves and their look-alikes apart are by their location. Foxgloves typically grow in areas with lots of sun and well-drained soil. Their look-alikes, on the other hand, can be found in a variety of habitats, including shady woods and wetlands.
Time of year
One final way to tell foxgloves and their look-alikes apart are by the time of year they bloom. Foxgloves typically bloom in the spring or summer. Their look-alikes, however, can bloom at any time of year.
Keep these key differences in mind, and you’ll be able to tell foxgloves and their look-alikes apart with ease.
Conclusion
It is important to be able to identify foxgloves and their look-alikes, as they can be easily mistaken for one another. By familiarizing yourself with their physical characteristics, you can avoid any potential confusion or misidentification.
