Linaria triornithophora

RHS Plant Profile
three birds toadflax

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Other common names

three birds, three birds flying

Synonyms

Linaria triornithophora 'Pink Birds'
Antirrhinum triornithophorum
Linaria triornithophora pink

Herbaceous Perennial
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An upright herbaceous perennial to 90cm, with whorls of oval to narrow green leaves and from midsummer to early autumn, bears loose clusters of two-lipped purple and yellow flowers with purple spurs. Sometimes flowers are pink with yellow markings.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Chalk

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Chalk
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Spain and Portugal

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained sandy soil in full sun. Protect roots with a thick layer of plant clippings/bracken/wood chip to protect from frost in winter

Propagation

Propagate by division or take basal softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

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