Bumble bees flock to the bright yellow, nectar-rich flowers of this herbaceous perennial. The stout stem grows 6 to 7 feet tall with dark green leaves and spike-like racemes of flowers on the upper stems. Mullein foxglove is ideal for underplanting  several tree species--oaks, maples, elms, and buckeyes--because it grows well in shade and is partially parasitic on the roots of these tree species.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows up to 7' tall.
 
Prefers part shade and tolerates full shade.
 
Grows in a variety of soils with average to dry  moisture, including loam, clay, and rocky. 
 
Blooms between July and October. Fruit is round and yellow and about 1/2" wide.
 
Leaves range from heavily dissected to simple.
 
Wildlife Value:
Orange swallow caterpillars bore into the seed capsules to feed on the seeds. May be a host plant for larvae of several Lepidoptera species.
 
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
 
Resources:
Illinois Wildflowers
 
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