General Culture:

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers a well-drained sandy soil. Dislikes heavy clay, poorly-drained and/or wet soils where it is susceptible to root rot. Cut back plants after the first flowering to promote additional bloom and to tidy the planting. Freely self-seeds in optimum growing conditions where it can become somewhat weedy.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Purple toadflax is an upright, clump-forming perennial that features violet, single-spurred, two-lipped, snapdragon-like flowers from late spring through much of the summer. Flowers appear in terminal racemes atop narrow, erect stems typically growing 18-24" (less frequently to 36") tall. Each plant produces numerous upright stems with narrow, linear, blue-green leaves.

Problems:

No frequently occurring insect or disease problems. Root rot and stem rot are occasional problems, particularly in wet, poorly-drained soils.

Uses:

Borders. Cottage gardens. Naturalize in meadows or open areas.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2010