Mullein Foxglove: A Native Wildflower That Deserves a Spot in Your Garden
If you’re looking for a native plant that brings late-season color and supports pollinators, let me introduce you to mullein foxglove (Dasistoma macrophylla). This charming annual wildflower might not be the flashiest plant in your garden, but it’s got personality and plenty of ecological benefits that make it worth considering.
What Makes Mullein Foxglove Special?
Mullein foxglove is a true American native, naturally occurring across a impressive swath of the United States. You’ll find this hardy annual growing wild from Pennsylvania down to Texas and everywhere in between. Its scientific name is Dasistoma macrophylla, though you might occasionally see it listed under its older names like Seymeria macrophylla.
This delightful forb (that’s botanist-speak for a non-woody flowering plant) typically reaches 3-6 feet tall, making it a nice mid-to-back-of-border plant. The real show begins in late summer to fall when clusters of bright yellow, tubular flowers appear, providing much-needed color when many other wildflowers are calling it quits for the season.
Where Does It Grow?
Talk about adaptable! Mullein foxglove has made itself at home across 22 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The Wet and Dry of It
One of the things I love about mullein foxglove is its flexibility when it comes to moisture. Depending on where you live, it can handle different water conditions:
- In coastal areas (Atlantic and Gulf Coast), it’s equally happy in wet or dry spots
- In mountainous and piedmont regions, it prefers drier conditions but can tolerate some moisture
- Throughout the Midwest and Northeast, it generally likes well-drained sites but won’t sulk if things get occasionally soggy
Why Your Garden (and Local Wildlife) Will Love It
Those cheerful yellow flowers aren’t just pretty to look at—they’re pollinator magnets! The tubular shape is perfect for bees and butterflies looking for a late-season nectar fix. Since mullein foxglove blooms when many other flowers are fading, it provides crucial resources when pollinators need them most.
As a native plant, it’s also perfectly adapted to local growing conditions and supports the broader ecosystem in ways that non-native plants simply can’t match.
Where to Plant It
Mullein foxglove shines in:
- Prairie and meadow gardens
- Naturalized landscapes
- Wildlife gardens
- Areas where you want late-season color
- Spots that might be too challenging for fussier plants
It’s hardy in USDA zones 4-8, so most gardeners in the continental US can give it a try.
How to Grow Mullein Foxglove
Here’s the best part—mullein foxglove is refreshingly low-maintenance. Since it’s an annual, you’ll be growing it from seed each year, but that’s actually easier than it sounds.
Planting Tips:
- Direct sow seeds in fall or early spring
- Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade
- Don’t worry too much about soil type—this plant is adaptable
- Scatter seeds and lightly rake them in
Care Requirements:
- Water during establishment, then let nature take over
- No fertilizing needed (it actually prefers lean soils)
- Let some plants go to seed if you want them to return next year
- Minimal pest or disease problems
The Bottom Line
Mullein foxglove might not win any flashy flower contests, but it’s exactly the kind of reliable, beneficial native plant that every garden needs. It asks for little, gives back plenty, and helps support local ecosystems. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about growing a plant that’s been thriving in your area for thousands of years.
If you’re building a native plant garden, restoring a prairie, or just want to add some late-season interest with minimal fuss, mullein foxglove deserves serious consideration. Your local pollinators will definitely thank you!
