Do Bees Like Foxglove

If you’re planning a garden to help bees, you might wonder, do bees like foxglove? The answer is a resounding yes, and these tall, striking flowers are a fantastic choice for any pollinator-friendly space. Their unique shape and nectar-rich blooms make them a vibrant attraction in nature’s garden.

Foxgloves, with their scientific name Digitalis, are biennial or short-lived perennials. They are known for their towering spires of tubular flowers. These blossoms come in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. They create a dramatic backdrop in borders and cottage gardens.

Bees, especially the larger bumblebees, are primary visitors to foxgloves. The flower’s structure is perfectly suited to them. Let’s look at why this partnership works so well.

Bumblebees and foxgloves share a special relationship evolved over time. The design of the foxglove flower is like a custom landing pad for these fuzzy pollinators.

Why Foxgloves Are a Bee Magnet

The connection is all about accessibility. Honeybees sometimes struggle with the deep tubes, but bumblebees are built for it.

Perfect Tube Shape: The long, hanging bell of a foxglove flower matches the tongue length of a bumblebee. The bee can crawl right inside to reach the nectar at the back.
Convenient Landing Spots: The lower petals provide a sturdy platform for the bee to land on. The speckled patterns inside the flower might even act as guides, pointing toward the nectar.
Rich Nectar Reward: Foxgloves produce a generous amount of sweet nectar. This high-energy fuel is worth the bumblebee’s effort, encouraging repeat visits.
Pollen Placement: As the bee shuffles deep into the flower, pollen from the stamens dusts its furry back. It then carries this pollen to the next foxglove, ensuring cross-pollination.

Planting Foxgloves for Bee Success

To get the most bee activity, you need to plant foxgloves correctly. They have a simple two-year life cycle, but with planning, you can have flowers every summer.

Choosing the Right Location and Soil

Foxgloves are woodland edge plants at heart. They thrive in conditions that mimic this environment.

Light: They prefer partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil is kept consistently moist.
Soil: Well-draining soil is crucial. They like it rich in organic matter. Add compost to your planting area to improve moisture retention and fertility.
Space: Give them room. Plants should be spaced about 18-24 inches apart. This allows for good air circulation, which prevents fungal diseases.

A Simple Planting Guide

You can grow foxgloves from seed or buy young plants. Here’s a straightforward method.

Sow Seeds (Late Spring/Summer): Scatter seeds on the surface of a pot filled with seed compost. They need light to germinate, so don’t cover them. Just press them gently into the soil.
Keep Moist: Water carefully with a fine spray. Keep the compost damp but not soggy until seedlings appear, usually in 2-3 weeks.
Thin and Transplant: Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out. Move the strongest ones to individual pots. Grow them on in a sheltered spot.
Plant Out in Autumn: In the fall, plant your young foxgloves in their final growing positions. They will form a low rosette of leaves in their first year.
Watch Them Bloom (Year Two): In the following spring or early summer, the flower spike will emerge from the center of the rosette and bloom.

Caring for Your Foxgloves

Foxgloves are relatively low-maintenance once established. A little care ensures they stay healthy and bloom their best.

Watering: Water regularly during dry spells, especially for plants in full sun. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist.
Feeding: A light application of a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring can support strong growth. Too much fertilizer can lead to lots of leaves and weaker flower spikes.
Deadheading: After the flowers fade, you can cut the main spike down. This may encourage smaller side shoots to flower. However, if you want them to self-seed, leave a few spikes to develop seed pods.
Staking: In windy gardens, tall varieties may need a discreet stake to prevent them from toppling over.

Important Safety Note

All parts of the foxglove plant are highly toxic if ingested. This is vital to remember.

Always wear gloves when handling foxglove plants, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Plant them away from areas where young children or pets play.
Wash your hands thoroughly after gardening near them.
The toxicity does not affect bees or other pollinators; it’s only a concern for mammals, including humans.

Creating a Bee-Friendly Foxglove Display

Foxgloves work beautifully with other plants. By choosing the right companions, you can extend the season of interest and support bees for longer.

Great Companion Plants

Pair foxgloves with other pollinator favorites that enjoy similar growing conditions.

For Early Summer: Plant with hardy geraniums, catmint (Nepeta), and alliums. The different shapes and colors create a lovely, layered look.
For Foliage Contrast: The broad leaves of hostas or the fine textures of ferns make a great backdrop for foxglove spires.
For Extended Bloom: Later-flowering plants like phlox, echinacea, and asters will take over after the foxgloves finish.

Encouraging Self-Seeding

Foxgloves are prolific self-seeders. This is an easy way to keep them in your garden year after year.

Allow the brown seed pods on a few flower spikes to fully develop.
Once dry, the pods will split and release tiny seeds around the parent plant.
In spring, you’ll see many seedlings appear. You can thin them out or carefully transplant them to new locations.
Remember, colors may not come true from seed, so you might get pleasant surprises!

Common Foxglove Varieties Bees Love

While the common purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a classic, many other varieties are equally attractive to bees.

Digitalis purpurea ‘Alba’: A beautiful pure white form that glows in shady spots.
Digitalis grandiflora: A perennial species with large, pale yellow flowers. It’s especially long-lived.
Digitalis lutea: A smaller, delicate foxglove with creamy yellow flowers.
Dalmatian Series: These are often sold as bedding plants. They flower in their first year from an early sowing and come in peach, cream, and pink.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Foxgloves are generally trouble-free, but a few issues can occassionally arise.

Leggy Seedlings: This is caused by insufficient light. Make sure seedlings are in a bright location.
Powdery Mildew: Appears as a white powder on leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent it.
Slugs and Snails: They love the tender young leaves. Use your preferred method of control, like beer traps or nighttime patrols, in the plants first year.
No Flowers Second Year: If a plant doesn’t bloom, it might have been stressed by drought in its first year. Consistent moisture for the leaf rosette is key.

FAQ: Foxgloves and Bees

Are foxgloves good for all bees?

They are excellent for long-tongued bumblebees, like the Garden Bumblebee. Some short-tongued bees may nectar rob by biting a hole at the base of the flower.

Do honey bees visit foxgloves?

Yes, but less frequently than bumblebees. Honeybees have shorter tongues and sometimes find it easier to use holes made by other insects.

When is the best time to see bees on foxgloves?

Mid-morning to late afternoon on warm, sunny days is peak activity time. Bees are less active in cool, cloudy, or rainy weather.

How long do foxgloves bloom?

Individual flower spikes can bloom for several weeks in early to mid-summer. Staggered planting or different varieties can extend the display.

Can I grow foxgloves in pots?

Yes, choose a deep pot with good drainage and a dwarf variety. Use a quality potting mix and water regularly, as pots dry out faster.

Are there any bee-friendly alternatives to foxgloves?

Certainly. For similar tubular flowers, consider penstemons, honeysuckle, or snapdragons. They all provide good nectar sources for bees.

Including foxgloves in your garden plan is a surefire way to support bee populations. Their stately beauty and wildlife value make them a dual-purpose champion. By providing the right spot and a little care, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular display that hums with life. Watching bumblebees busily clamber in and out of the spotted blooms is one of the simple joys of gardening. It’s a perfect example of how planting with purpose can create a thriving, vibrant ecosystem right in your own backyard.