Linaria purpurea

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purple toadflax

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Synonyms

Antirrhinum purpureum

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A vigorous perennial about 60-90cm tall, with erect stems clad in narrow, grey-green leaves, and bearing two-lipped violet-purple flowers 1.5cm long in slender terminal racemes in summer and early autumn; often seeds freely

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Linaria can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials, with simple leaves and terminal racemes of 2-lipped flowers with conspicuous spurs
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C Italy to Sicily

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, light, well-drained soil; sandy soil is ideal. Full sun essential

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in early spring. Propagate by division or softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

After flowering, plants can be cut back to prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews