50 Best Plants Continued… Honey Bee Plants (D to F)


Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove, Lady’s glove) are perennial flowers that bloom in the spring and provide nectar and pollen to honey bees and hummingbirds. Growing taller than 3 feet (.91 meters) Digitalis purpurea is one variation in the Digitalis variety, with other varieties ranging in size and color. See the several variations below to choose the right variety for your garden.

Use caution! All parts of Foxglove are poisonous. Foxglove can cause skin irritation to the touch as there are small sharp hair-like spikes covering the plant.

Cover image details: Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea flowers and buds_© andreahast/123rf.com

Digitalis Purpurea
Name:Foxglove, Lady’s glove
Binomial Name:Digitalis purpurea
Life Cycle:Perennial and biennial depending on the variety
Sun Needs:Full sun
Soil Needs:Well-draining nutrient-rich soil
Water Needs:Maintain moist soil, check soil daily
Bloom Time:Blooms Spring
USDA Hardiness:4-8
Size:Can grow taller than 3 feet (.91 meters)
Bee Benefits:Nectar and pollen source
Facts:Use caution! All parts of Foxglove are poisonous. Foxglove can cause skin irritation to the touch as there are small sharp hair-like spikes covering the plant.
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Digitalis obscura, Willow leaved foxglove, Dusty foxglove_©juan francisco moreno gámez/123rf.com
Digitalis Obscura
Name:Dusty foxglove
Binomial Name:Digitalis Obscura
Life Cycle:Perennial
Sun Needs:Full sun, partial sun
Soil Needs:Well-draining nutrient-rich soil, also tolerates sandy / rocky soil
Water Needs:Maintain moist soil / also tolerates drier soils
Bloom Time:Blooms mid-Spring through mid-Summer
USDA Hardiness:4-8
Size:Can grow to 24 inches tall (60 cm)
Bee Benefits:Nectar and pollen source
Facts:Also attracts hummingbirds
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White foxglove, Digitalis Snow Thimble (digitalis)_© Marilyn Barbone/123rf.com
Digitalis Snow Thimble
Name:Foxglove
Binomial Name:Digitalis Snow Thimble
Life Cycle:Perennial
Sun Needs:Full sun, partial sun
Soil Needs:Well-draining nutrient-rich soil, also tolerates sandy / rocky soil
Water Needs:Maintain moist soil / also tolerates drier soils
Bloom Time:Blooms Summer
USDA Hardiness:4-9
Size:Can grow taller than 36 inches (91 cm)
Bee Benefits:Nectar and pollen source
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Purple and orange perennial flowers echinacea purpurea maxima_© Natasha Walton/123rf.com
Echinacea Purpurea
Name:Butterfly Kisses
Binomial Name:Echinacea purpurea
Life Cycle:Perennial
Sun Needs:Full sun, partial sun
Soil Needs:Well-draining nutrient-rich soil, also tolerates sandy / rocky soil
Water Needs:Maintain moist soil / also tolerates drier soils
Bloom Time:Blooms Summer
USDA Hardiness:3-8
Size:Can grow taller than 4 feet (1.2 meters)
Bee Benefits:Nectar and pollen source
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Green jewel coneflowers, Echinacea Purpurea_© Jaap Bleijenberg/123rf.com
Echinacea Purpurea
Name:Green Jewel
Binomial Name:Echinacea purpurea
Life Cycle:Perennial
Sun Needs:Full sun, partial sun
Soil Needs:Well-draining nutrient-rich soil, also tolerates sandy / rocky soil
Water Needs:Maintain moist soil / also tolerates drier soils
Bloom Time:Blooms Summer
USDA Hardiness:3-8
Size:Can grow taller than 24 inches (60 cm)
Bee Benefits:Nectar and pollen source
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Echinops ritro_© Christopher Smith/123rf.com
Echinops Ritro
Name:Southern globe thistle
Binomial Name:Echinops Ritro
Life Cycle:Perennial
Sun Needs:Full sun, partial sun
Soil Needs:Well-draining nutrient-rich soil, also tolerates sandy / rocky soil
Water Needs:Maintain moist soil / also tolerates drier soils
Bloom Time:Blooms Summer through Fall
USDA Hardiness:3-8
Size:Can grow larger than 36 inches tall by 24 inches wide (91 cm by 60 cm)
Bee Benefits:Nectar and pollen source
Facts:Deer resistant
Use caution! May become invasive
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Please note: While we have worked to provide the most accurate information, climate and growing location will impact the size, height, bloom-time, annual/perennial status, and may impact color. We have gathered this data from personal experience, with online resources used for additional clarification. Additional references include google and usda.gov

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As the Garden Path Insider, I am thrilled to share the gardening knowledge I've acquired in my 30 plus years of gardening. I look forward to the opportunity to provide guidance as you continue along your path.

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