Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are majestic biennials or short-lived perennials that bring vertical interest and architectural form to a flower border. From a plant's perspective, choosing the right companions is about creating a supportive community that shares similar needs and offers mutual benefits, ensuring all plants can thrive together.
Foxgloves naturally thrive in dappled woodland shade, meaning they prefer their roots to be cool and moist while their flower spikes reach for the sun. Low-growing, shade-tolerant plants are perfect partners to create a "living mulch." Hostas, with their large, broad leaves, are exceptional at shading the soil, conserving moisture, and suppressing weeds directly around the foxglove's base. Similarly, ferns like the Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) thrive in the same conditions, their lush, feathery fronds creating a cool, humid microclimate at ground level that foxglove roots greatly appreciate.
The towering spires of foxgloves provide a stunning vertical element. To complement this form, plants with contrasting shapes create a more dynamic and visually balanced planting. The large, rounded flower heads of ornamental Alliums or the flat, plate-like blooms of Yarrow (Achillea) offer a striking textural contrast. Furthermore, the broad, horizontal layers of Catmint (Nepeta) or Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) will soften the base of the foxgloves' rigid stems, creating a seamless and lush underplanting that ties the border together.
As biennials, foxgloves have a specific bloom time, primarily in early to mid-summer. To ensure the border remains vibrant before and after the foxgloves' display, interplanting with species that have different flowering schedules is crucial. Spring-flowering bulbs like Tulips or forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) provide color before the foxgloves stretch to their full height. Later in the season, after foxgloves have faded, perennials like Asters or Sedum 'Autumn Joy' will take over, ensuring there is no gap in floral interest and that the border's resources are continuously utilized.
The most common foxgloves boast shades of pink, purple, and white. Choosing companions that harmonize or subtly contrast with this palette creates a serene and intentional design. For a cool, soothing effect, pair them with blue-flowering plants like Geranium 'Rozanne' or Salvia nemorosa. For a more vibrant and romantic cottage garden feel, the soft, apricot hues of Oriental Poppies (Papaver orientale) or the pale yellow blooms of Lady's Mantle provide a beautiful warm contrast against the digitalis's cooler tones.
