7 Flowers That Look Like Foxglove And How To Tell Them Apart

Foxgloves are stunning plants known for their tall spikes and bell-shaped blooms. Their elegant appearance often makes them stand out in any garden. However, many flowers share similar shapes, colours, or growing patterns. If you love the graceful look of foxgloves but find yourself unsure which flowers you’re seeing, this guide will help you tell them apart.

Knowing how to identify these look-alike flowers not only adds to your gardening knowledge but also helps you choose the right plants for your space. Some species resemble foxgloves so closely that even experienced gardeners pause for a second look.

Let’s explore the most common flowers that look like foxgloves and how to distinguish them with ease.

Understanding Foxgloves

Before spotting their look-alikes, it helps to understand what makes a true foxglove unique. Foxgloves, also called Digitalis, are biennial or perennial plants native to Europe and western Asia. They are famous for their tall stems that can reach up to six feet high, covered in clusters of tubular blossoms.

Their colours range from purple and pink to white and yellow. Each flower has a spotted throat that adds depth and charm. The leaves are broad, slightly fuzzy, and form a rosette at the base of the plant. Foxgloves prefer partial shade and well-drained soil, making them ideal for cottage gardens or shaded borders.

It’s also important to remember that all parts of the foxglove are toxic if ingested. So, if you have pets or small children, it’s best to handle them with care.

7 Flowers That Look Like Foxgloves

Several plants share the same tall spikes and bell-like blooms as foxgloves. Here are some of the most common ones and how you can tell the difference.

1. Penstemon

Penstemon, often called beardtongue, is one of the most popular flowers mistaken for foxglove. The shape of its tubular blossoms looks nearly identical, and the variety of colors is just as wide.

How to Tell Them Apart

 Penstemons usually have smoother stems and thinner leaves than foxgloves. The flowers are smaller, and the inside lacks the distinctive spotted markings. Unlike foxgloves, penstemons are non-toxic and safe for garden wildlife. They also bloom longer through the summer, which adds lasting color to your garden.

Penstemons are also known to attract butterflies to your garden, making them a favorite among pollinator lovers.

2. Campanula (Bellflower)

Campanulas are another group of plants that can easily be confused with foxgloves because of their bell-shaped flowers. They come in shades of blue, purple, and white, often forming dense clusters that create a rich, romantic display.

How to Tell Them Apart

While foxgloves grow tall and upright, campanulas tend to spread out more horizontally or form mounds. Their petals are also more open and less tubular. Another way to tell the difference is by the texture of the leaves. Campanulas usually have thinner, smoother foliage compared to the slightly hairy leaves of foxgloves.

If you enjoy beautiful purple flowers, campanulas are a wonderful addition that complements foxgloves perfectly without looking too identical.

3. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)

Snapdragons share the same vibrant colors and upright growth as foxgloves. At a glance, their spikes of flowers can easily be mistaken for young foxgloves.

How to Tell Them Apart

Snapdragon blooms are thicker and rounder. When you gently squeeze the sides of a snapdragon flower, the “mouth” opens and closes, which gives it its name. Foxglove flowers, on the other hand, are more tubular and droop slightly.

Snapdragons are also annuals, while most foxgloves are biennials or perennials. Both bring life and charm to flowerbeds, but snapdragons are easier to maintain and less picky about soil conditions.

4. Canterbury Bells (Campanula Medium)

This particular type of campanula looks so much like a foxglove that many gardeners grow them side by side. Canterbury bells feature tall spikes and bell-shaped flowers that come in pastel shades.

How to Tell Them Apart

The main difference is in the petal shape. Canterbury bells have flowers that are more open, forming wide cups rather than narrow tubes. They also tend to bloom earlier in the season. While foxgloves prefer partial shade, Canterbury bells can tolerate more sunlight.

They are perfect for cutting gardens and floral arrangements. However, if you’re creating a bouquet, be cautious of flowers that should not be in a wedding bouquet, especially those that might cause skin irritation or toxicity like foxgloves.

5. Lobed Monkshood (Aconitum Napellus)

Monkshood, also known as wolfsbane, is another tall flower with a spiky growth habit that closely resembles foxglove. Its deep blue and purple tones give it a similar striking appeal.

How to Tell Them Apart

Monkshood flowers have a distinctive hooded shape, almost like a helmet. Foxgloves, on the other hand, have a more open tubular design. The leaves of monkshood are deeply lobed and glossy, while foxgloves have oval-shaped, slightly fuzzy leaves.

Both plants are toxic if ingested, so it’s best to wear gloves while handling them. Despite this, monkshood remains a beautiful choice for shaded gardens.

6. Salvia (Sage)

Salvia is a hardy perennial that sometimes resembles foxgloves from a distance, especially when it produces tall spikes covered in small tubular flowers.

How to Tell Them Apart

Salvia flowers are much smaller and grow in dense clusters. The leaves of salvia have a strong, aromatic scent, unlike the neutral smell of foxglove leaves. Salvias also tend to attract bees and hummingbirds.

If you want to add more life and color to your landscape, salvia pairs beautifully with foxgloves, creating a layered effect in your garden beds.

7. Digitalis Grandiflora (Yellow Foxglove)

This one is technically a true foxglove species but often mistaken for a completely different plant. Yellow foxglove has paler, cream-colored blooms and slightly shorter spikes.

How to Tell Them Apart

While similar in structure, the yellow foxglove’s flowers are smaller and less speckled. They also have a more compact growth habit. If you love foxgloves but want a subtle variation, this species offers the same charm in a softer shade.

How to Identify Foxgloves Correctly

Here are some key traits to look for when identifying true foxgloves:

• The blooms have a tubular shape with spotted throats.
• Flowers grow all around a tall, sturdy stem.
• Leaves are large, slightly fuzzy, and form a rosette at the base.
• Most species bloom in late spring to early summer.
• The plant prefers well-drained soil and partial shade.

Once you recognize these features, it becomes easier to tell foxgloves apart from their similar-looking companions.

How to Combine Foxgloves with Other Flowers

Foxgloves are incredibly versatile and can transform any garden into a lush, storybook landscape. Their tall spikes and bell-shaped flowers naturally draw the eye, making them perfect for the middle or back of flower beds. When combined thoughtfully with other blooms, they create texture, color balance, and harmony.

Here are some beautiful ways to pair foxgloves with other flowers:

With Tall Companions for Drama and Height:

Plant foxgloves beside other vertical growers to build a layered, dramatic look.

• Delphiniums: Their rich blue and purple hues blend beautifully with foxglove’s soft pinks and whites.
• Hollyhocks: Together, they create a nostalgic cottage garden full of old-world charm.
• Lupines: These offer bold color spikes that contrast well with the softer foxglove tones.

With Medium-Growing Flowers for a Balanced Look:

Middle-height plants help bridge the gap between the tall foxgloves and lower ground covers.

• Campanulas: Their bell-shaped blooms echo the foxglove’s form while adding a gentle cascade effect.
• Peonies: Their large, round flowers add volume and contrast to the slim spikes of foxgloves.
• Echinacea (Coneflowers): These add pops of colour and attract pollinators, creating a lively, eco-friendly garden.

With Low-Growing Flowers for Ground Coverage: 

Planting smaller flowers at the base of foxgloves softens the overall look and keeps the garden visually balanced.

• Lavender: The fragrance complements foxgloves while adding gentle purple tones.
• Daisies: Their cheerful faces brighten the space and contrast beautifully with the tall foxglove spikes.
• Creeping Phlox: Ideal for adding ground coverage and subtle colour beneath the taller plants.

With Foliage Plants for Depth: 

Mixing in textured greenery highlights the height and elegance of foxgloves.

• Hostas: Their large, lush leaves make a perfect backdrop.
• Ferns: These add a touch of wild beauty and thrive in the same shady spots.
• Heucheras: Their colourful foliage gives year-round interest even after foxgloves finish blooming.

With Pollinator-Friendly Flowers for a Vibrant Garden:

Foxgloves attract bees and hummingbirds, and pairing them with other nectar-rich plants enhances this effect.

• Salvia: Draws in butterflies and bees for a lively garden atmosphere.
• Alliums: Add height and texture while supporting pollinators.
• Verbena: Provides small bursts of colour that complement foxglove spikes.

With Seasonal Flowers for Continuous Blooms:

Keep your garden colourful throughout the year by pairing foxgloves with flowers that bloom at different times.

• Tulips and Daffodils for early spring colour before foxgloves emerge.
• Daylilies and Shasta Daisies for mid-summer brightness.
• Asters or Chrysanthemums to carry colour into the fall season.
  

When planning your combinations, remember to group plants with similar sunlight and soil needs. Foxgloves thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, so pair them with flowers that enjoy similar conditions.

This way, your garden will not only look breathtaking but will also stay healthy and full of life all year round.

Conclusion On Flowers That Look Like Foxgloves

Foxgloves have inspired many look-alike flowers that carry the same graceful beauty. From penstemons to campanulas and snapdragons, each has its own unique charm and growing habits. Learning to tell them apart helps you appreciate their subtle differences and choose the best mix for your garden.

At SG Florist, we value the art of floral beauty and natural design. Whether you’re searching for foxgloves, their look-alikes, or advice on seasonal flowers, our team is here to help.

Contact us today to find the perfect blooms to brighten your home or garden.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Look Like Foxgloves

What Makes Foxgloves Unique Compared to Other Flowers?

Foxgloves stand out for their tall spikes and spotted tubular blossoms. Their pattern and height make them instantly recognisable in a garden setting.

Are Foxgloves Safe for Pets and Children?

No, all parts of the foxglove plant are toxic if ingested. Keep them out of reach from pets and small children.

Do Foxgloves Come Back Every Year?

Most foxgloves are biennials, meaning they grow leaves in the first year and bloom in the second. Some varieties are perennial and can return for several seasons.

What Type of Soil Do Foxgloves Prefer?

They thrive in moist, well-drained soil and prefer locations with partial shade. Too much water or full sun can damage their roots and blooms.

Can Foxgloves Be Used in Bouquets?

Yes, but with caution. Always handle them carefully and avoid direct skin contact for long periods. If you want safer alternatives, your florist can suggest similar flowers that are non-toxic.