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Scrophularia nodosa

common figwort

Scrophulariaceae Europe and western and central Asia

Attracts Pollinators

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Scrophularia nodosa is an erect perennial 16-32 inches (40-80 cm) tall, sometimes reaching 40 inches (1 m), growing from a knobbly, swollen rhizome that gives the plant its old name of figwort. The stout, four-angled stems are unwinged and carry opposite, pointed, sharply toothed leaves 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long. In summer the stem tips bear open, branched heads of small flowers about 0.4 inch (1 cm) long, each a rounded two-lipped pouch that is greenish below and dull maroon-brown above. The flowers have a faint, unpleasant scent and are visited mainly by wasps, which take the nectar. It grows in damp woodland, hedge banks, ditches, and shaded waste ground on moist, fertile soil, and forms loose colonies from its branching rhizome. The whole plant has an acrid smell when bruised and is bitter and mildly toxic if eaten. It dies back to the rhizome in winter and returns in spring. The flowers are quiet in colour but draw steady insect traffic through summer.

Native Range

Scrophularia nodosa is native across Europe and into western and central Asia, in damp woodland, hedgerows, stream sides, and shaded disturbed ground. It has naturalised in parts of North America.

Suggested Uses

Grown in wildlife and woodland gardens, damp shaded borders, and along pond and stream margins, where it draws wasps and other insects. Its tall stems and quiet flowers suit naturalistic and pollinator plantings rather than bright ornamental display.

How to Identify

Recognise it by the tall, sharply four-angled but unwinged stems, the opposite toothed leaves, and the airy heads of small maroon-and-green pouched flowers in summer. The knobbly, swollen rhizome at the base and the faint, sour smell when bruised are useful checks. The unwinged stem separates it from the winged-stemmed water figwort.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'4" - 3'4"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

green

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer

Small two-lipped maroon-green flowers open from June to September in loose branched heads at the stem tops. The long flowering spell suits the wasps that are its main pollinators. Rounded seed capsules follow and ripen as the flowers fade.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 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

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Reaches full size in 1-2 seasons

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in moist, fertile soil in part shade to full shade, such as a woodland edge, shaded border, or damp hedge bank. Steady moisture suits it, and it tolerates heavy soils and damp ground better than dry, sunny sites. It spreads slowly by rhizome to form loose clumps and is easily divided in spring or autumn. No staking or feeding is usually needed on reasonable soil. Cutting the stems back after flowering tidies the plant and limits self-seeding. Once settled in damp shade it needs little routine care.

Pruning

Cut the flowered stems back after bloom to tidy the plant, or leave them to set seed for wildlife. Old top growth is removed in late winter before new shoots appear. Dividing the rhizome in spring keeps clumps vigorous and within bounds.