Linaria purpurea aka Purple Toadflax

Linaria purpurea, or purple toadflax, belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial: it lives for years without woody stems. It comes from central and southern Italy, including Sicily. It grows in mild climates with distinct seasons. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The same species once went by the name Antirrhinum purpureum. Gardeners grow it for its upright shape and violet flowers.

Plants stand about 2–3 feet [0.6–0.9 metres] tall. The RHS gives a top height of 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Spread can reach 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Slim, grey-green leaves grow on upright stems. The plant forms a bushy shape and sheds its leaves with the seasons. It can take two to five years to reach full size. Small flowers with two lips grow at the stem tips. They form narrow racemes, with blooms spaced along a stalk. Each flower is about 0.05 feet [0.015 metres] long. Missouri Botanical Garden gives June through August as the bloom time. The RHS says blooms last through summer into early autumn.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. It suits light soil with a mid-range level of nutrients. Sand is ideal. It accepts acid, neutral, or alkaline soil. It grows in dry soil or soil with some moisture. It also copes with drought. Wet ground that drains poorly can cause root or stem rot. The RHS rates its hardiness as H6. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 5–9. It needs little routine care when the site suits it.

Purple toadflax suits flower borders, cottage gardens, and open meadow plantings. Its upright flower stems fit beds beneath roses and shrubs. The RHS also lists gardens by the coast and courtyard gardens. It lists wildlife gardens, too. Plants grow in both open and sheltered sites. Their resistance to deer adds to their garden value. They set seed with ease and can spread beyond their first spot. Cut plants back after bloom to limit new seedlings. Raise seed in pots in a cold frame in early spring. In spring, you can also split plants or take softwood cuttings.

Missouri Botanical Garden reports no frequent pest or disease problems. Aphids may still attack plants. Powdery mildew can also occur. Good drainage matters, since rot can harm both roots and stems. The supplied sources give no evidence about edible parts or toxic effects. They do not establish whether this plant is safe to eat.