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Perennials
Linaria purpurea
toadflax
Plantaginaceae
Central and southern Italy; widely naturalized in Europe, North America, Australia
At a Glance
TypePerennial
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height24-36 inches (60-90 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
5 - 9Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low
Overview
A slender, upright, short-lived perennial in the family Plantaginaceae, native to rocky slopes, walls, and disturbed ground in central and southern Italy. Plants form narrow clumps of wiry stems 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) tall clothed in whorls of narrow, linear, blue-green leaves 0.5–1.5 inches (1.5–4 cm) long. From early summer through fall, the upper portions of the stems bear dense, slender racemes of small snapdragon-like (two-lipped) flowers 0.5 inch (1.5 cm) long with a distinctive slender spur, in soft violet-purple with a white palate (throat). The overall effect is airy and delicate. Plants bloom almost continuously for 4–5 months with minimal deadheading. The white-flowered cultivar 'Alba' and pale pink 'Canon Went' are commonly grown. Self-seeds prolifically — often short-lived as individual plants (3–4 years) but self-maintaining in the garden. Naturalized in parts of North America, Australia, and the British Isles.
Native Range
Native to central and southern Italy, growing in rocky ground, old walls, cliff faces, and disturbed sites, typically in well-drained, calcareous soil in full sun. Widely naturalized in western and northern Europe, parts of North America, Australia, and New Zealand.Suggested Uses
Planted in dry borders, gravel gardens, rock gardens, and walls at 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spacing. The airy, narrow habit weaves naturally among other perennials without competing. Effective combined with ornamental grasses, eryngiums, and alliums in dry, sun-baked plantings. Works well planted at the base of old stone walls where it naturalizes in crevices.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Colors
Flower Colors
purple
violet
white
pink
Foliage Colors
blue
green
Fall Foliage Colors
no change
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
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Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
soft violet-purple with white palate; also white ('Alba') and pink ('Canon Went') cultivarsFoliage Description
blue-green, narrow and linear, whorled on stemGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Soil Requirements
pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)
357912
Soil Types
sandchalkrockyloam
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Very Low
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
1 year
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5–8.0. Rich, moist soils produce lax, floppy plants with reduced flower production. Once established, extremely drought-tolerant. No staking needed in lean, well-drained conditions. Allow some self-seeding to maintain garden populations, as individual plants are short-lived (3–4 years). Thin self-sown seedlings to avoid overcrowding. No division needed — propagate from seed or allow natural self-seeding.Pruning
Trim back by one-third after the main summer flush to stimulate fresh growth and continued bloom through fall. Allow some seed heads to mature for self-seeding and bird food. Cut stems to ground level in late fall or early spring. Individual plants may be short-lived; garden populations self-maintain through seeding. No division is required.Pruning Schedule
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summerfall