Linaria alpina

RHS Plant Profile

alpine toadflax

Mike L. Grant 1997

Other common names

alpine toad-flax

Synonyms

Antirrhinum alpinum

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

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A short-lived perennial with trailing stems bearing narrow, blue-green leaves and bicoloured, purple and orange flowers 2.5cm in length in short racemes in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Trailing
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 & S Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, light, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, division and basal cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Rock garden
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants

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