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Scrophularia marilandica

late figwort

Scrophulariaceae Eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Scrophularia marilandica is a tall, upright perennial in the figwort family, native to eastern North America. It grows 3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 m) tall and 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) wide on distinctly four-angled (square) stems that give it the folk name carpenter's square. The opposite leaves are broadly lance-shaped to oval, 3-8 inches (7.5-20 cm) long, with toothed margins and a dull dark green surface. From mid summer into autumn it carries open, branching clusters of small flowers, each about 0.25-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) long, greenish on the outside and shiny maroon-brown within, shaped like tiny rounded jugs. It grows at woodland edges, in clearings, and along streambanks in moist, fertile soil and part shade across the eastern United States and Canada. The small flowers hold abundant nectar and draw bees, wasps, and hummingbirds through late summer. The plant tolerates a range of soils but flops in deep shade or overly rich ground and needs steady moisture, wilting in prolonged drought. Top growth dies back in winter, leaving dry seed capsules on the stems. It is hardy to USDA zone 4 and spreads slowly into open colonies.

Native Range

Scrophularia marilandica is native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to the Great Plains. It grows at woodland edges, in clearings, and along streambanks in moist, fertile soil.

Suggested Uses

Scrophularia marilandica is used in native and pollinator gardens, woodland edges, and rain gardens, where its tall stems suit the back of a planting. It is spaced 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart in groups. Its nectar-rich flowers support bees, wasps, and hummingbirds.

How to Identify

Look for a tall perennial 3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 m) high with distinctly square, four-angled stems and opposite, toothed, dark green leaves 3-8 inches (7.5-20 cm) long. The small flowers, about 0.25-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) long, are greenish outside and glossy maroon-brown inside, shaped like little rounded jugs in open branching clusters. The square stems and small two-toned flowers separate it from S. lanceolata, which blooms earlier in the year.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 8'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

brown

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer Fall

Small greenish and maroon-brown flowers open from mid summer into autumn, roughly July to September, later than the related S. lanceolata. The open flower clusters carry nectar over about eight weeks. Bloom draws bees, wasps, and hummingbirds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish with maroon-brown

Foliage Description

Dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 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 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Scrophularia marilandica grows in part shade to full sun in moist, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH from about 5.5 to 7.0. It suits woodland edges, native borders, rain gardens, and pollinator plantings, and tolerates a range of soils but flops in deep shade or overly rich ground. It needs steady moisture and wilts in prolonged drought, so it is watered during dry spells. No routine fertilizer is needed in fertile soil. It is hardy to USDA zone 4 and dies back to the ground each winter.

Pruning

Scrophularia marilandica needs little pruning. Spent flowering stems can be left standing for seed and winter structure, then cut to the ground in late winter or early spring. Self-sown seedlings can be removed where not wanted.