On a hot day in late summer, I noticed small purplish blossoms lost in a tangle of tall grass. The ground was so dry and the plant so delicate that I was surprised it could survive there. I marked the spot and went back later to collect seeds.
From those seeds, Slender False Foxgloves came to live in my garden. I love the dainty plants, with their thread-thin stems, buds like ivory pearls, and pale purple blossoms.
That first year the plants grew only six inches tall, much smaller than the ones I’d found in the field. I wondered why.
Kiss of the Slender False Foxglove
I researched that species and learned that it does better next to another plant. It is hemiparasitic: halfway to being a parasite. That’s because, although it’s a green plant, with the power of photosynthesis, it usually gets part of its sustenance from another plant. Its roots can reach delicately into a neighbor’s roots and sip a bit of water and sugar. In most cases the host plant is a grass.
So the following spring, I planted Slender False Foxglove right next to Little Bluestem, a native grass. Close enough that the roots could touch.
Wow! The Slender False Foxglove grew two feet tall and was covered with flowers! It must be thanks to the sips of water and nutrients it got from the Little Bluestem. Yet the grass seemed not to miss what the flowers took.
Who else benefits?
Slender False Foxglove helps pollinating insects. Along with other flowers in the genus Agalinis, it’s a major host plant for caterpillars of the Common Buckeye, one of our loveliest butterflies. During its caterpillar stage, the Buckeye eats the leaves.
In addition, adult butterflies and moths of many species visit the blossoms for nectar.
An assortment of native bees depend on the plant. Bumblebees especially like it, even though they are bigger than the flowers.
Life cycle
Slender False Foxglove is an annual. It sprouts, grows, makes flowers, sets seeds, and dies all in a single growing season. The seeds that fall in the garden can provide flowers the next year.
However, Slender False Foxglove doesn’t reliably come back this way. Sometimes it simply disappears. To be sure of keeping this flower, I always collect some seeds to plant in my garden. It’s part of my desire to preserve the diversity of native plants in my own back yard.
Even tiny ones.
Please feel free to comment. I’m always interested in the experience of other plant lovers with this species.
Isn't nature wonderful!! Such a lovely little and unique plant. Thank you!!
Thanks for another inspiring, interesting and informative article.
I have three little bluestems who would probably enjoy having these neighbors to cosy up to. They're lovely and completely new to me. Wonderful, thanks again!