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Scrophularia spp.

figworts

Scrophulariaceae

Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Scrophularia spp. is a genus of about 200 species of perennials and biennials in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae), native to the Northern Hemisphere. Plants form upright clumps with square stems 1.5–8 feet (0.5–2.4 m) tall and opposite, toothed leaves 2–10 inches (5–25 cm) long that smell rank when bruised. Flowers are small, 0.2–0.5 inch (5–12 mm) long, with a two-lipped, pouched corolla in dull greenish-brown to maroon, carried in open branched clusters above the foliage. The flowers hold abundant nectar and are visited mainly by wasps. Fruit is a dry, two-chambered capsule that splits to release many tiny seeds. S. nodosa and S. auriculata grow in damp ground, while some species tolerate drier sites. Plants spread by short rhizomes and self-seed freely. Foliage dies back to the crown in winter in cold regions.

Native Range

Native across the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. Grows in damp woodland, stream banks, ditches, hedgerows, and disturbed ground, with some species on rocky or dry slopes, from sea level to about 8,000 feet (2,400 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown in wildlife and pollinator gardens, bog and pond margins, and damp borders, spaced 18–30 inches (45–75 cm) apart. S. nodosa is grown in herb collections for its historical medicinal use. The rank foliage and spreading habit limit use in formal plantings.

How to Identify

Recognized by square stems, opposite toothed leaves with a rank smell when crushed, and open clusters of small pouched flowers in greenish-brown to maroon. Flowers are 0.2–0.5 inch (5–12 mm) long with a nearly closed two-lipped mouth. Separated from related genera by the globular, two-lipped corolla and the wasp-visited flowers rather than bee-shaped blooms.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 8'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~9 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring through summer, generally May to August, with a longer season in mild, moist conditions. Individual flowers last about 1 week, and the branched clusters bloom over 6–10 weeks. Wasps are the main visitors throughout the flowering period.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish-brown to maroon

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 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 Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1–2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade and moist, fertile soil, with several species tolerating wet ground and shade. Drought stress causes wilting and early dieback. Plants spread by rhizomes and abundant self-seeding, forming colonies in suitable ground. Cutting stems before seed sets limits spread. Few serious pests occur, though figwort weevil feeds on the foliage of some species. S. nodosa and its relatives need consistently moist soil through the growing season.

Pruning

Cut flowering stems to the ground after bloom to prevent heavy self-seeding, or in late fall as the foliage dies back. Plants regrow from the crown each spring. Dividing congested clumps in spring controls their spread.