Foxglove vs Hollyhock

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Plantaginaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Malvaceae · flowers

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Foxglove (Zones 4-8)

Hollyhock (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Foxglove	Hollyhock
Scientific Name	Digitalis purpurea	Alcea rosea
Family	Plantaginaceae	Malvaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	5'	8'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Late Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe	China, Turkey
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Foxglove

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Hollyhock

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Foxglove

✓Let self-seed for continuous display.
✓Plant in drifts for best effect.
✓Remove unwanted seedlings.
✓Wear gloves when handling.
✓Thrives in woodland edge conditions.

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Foxglove if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Choose Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View FoxgloveProfile →View HollyhockProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Foxglove and Hollyhock grow in the same hardiness zone?

Foxglove grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Hollyhock grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Foxglove and Hollyhock have the same sun and water needs?

Foxglove needs part shade and medium water, while Hollyhock needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Foxglove or Hollyhock?

Hollyhock grows taller at 8' compared to Foxglove at 5'. Hollyhock spreads 1' 6" while Foxglove spreads 1' 6".

Are Foxglove and Hollyhock deer resistant?

Yes, both Foxglove and Hollyhock are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Foxglove or Hollyhock?

Both Foxglove and Hollyhock have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Foxglove	Hollyhock
Scientific Name	Digitalis purpurea	Alcea rosea
Family	Plantaginaceae	Malvaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	5'	8'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Late Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe	China, Turkey
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Foxglove

✓Let self-seed for continuous display.
✓Plant in drifts for best effect.
✓Remove unwanted seedlings.
✓Wear gloves when handling.
✓Thrives in woodland edge conditions.

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Foxglove if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Choose Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Foxglove and Hollyhock grow in the same hardiness zone?

Foxglove grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Hollyhock grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Foxglove and Hollyhock have the same sun and water needs?

Foxglove needs part shade and medium water, while Hollyhock needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Foxglove or Hollyhock?

Hollyhock grows taller at 8' compared to Foxglove at 5'. Hollyhock spreads 1' 6" while Foxglove spreads 1' 6".

Are Foxglove and Hollyhock deer resistant?

Yes, both Foxglove and Hollyhock are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Foxglove or Hollyhock?

Both Foxglove and Hollyhock have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.