What does Linaria look like?
An erect perennial with stiff stems and pale green leaves, it bears tall dense flower spikes of dainty pale purple flowers, each with two lips and spurs, rather like snapdragons. It’s extremely attractive to bees and butterflies, and makes a beautiful cut flower.
Should you cut back Linaria?
Linaria is a relatively easy plant to look after; water regularly in dry periods; thin perennials; cut back annuals for a second bloom. If you require more perennial Linaria then divide in the spring or take cuttings at the start of summer.
How do you propagate Linaria?
Linaria is propagated with seeds and division. If you’re propagating them with seeds, wait for the fruits to dry out while still on the plant. Once they do, break them open and collect the seeds. Sow them in early spring in the area where you want to grow them, e.g., garden hedges.
How do you deadhead Linaria?
Rigorous deadheading is the way to curb the plant’s weedy tendencies. Clip off the spikes of bead-like seed pods as soon as they form. You can either cut each thin side-stem or wait until the whole raceme has pretty much finished flowering and cut the main stem just beneath the flower cluster.
Will Linaria grow in shade?
Linaria are best planted in well-drained, sand based soil within an acidic, alkaline or neutral PH levels. They are best positioned in an area of full sun although they will tolerate part shade. It is possible to propagate Linaria by seed sown in pots in a cold frame during spring.
Does Linaria come back every year?
The purple toadflax, Linaria purpurea, is a common stray around my parts. Originally from Italy, it likes railway embankments and walls. It grows to 90cm or so tall, is perennial and will happily seed and root. They also self-seed, so if you want to contain them, chop off the flowers once they are finished.
Can you transplant Linaria?
Linaria does not transplant well, so sow the seed thinly in prepared ground in March or April where they are to flower. Do not cover the tiny seeds with soil or they may not germinate. Thinning should not be necessary if the seed is sown sparsely.
How do you get rid of purple toadflax?
Choose an herbicide labeled for use against toadflax, and apply it according to the label instructions. Apply herbicides to Dalmatian toadflax in spring and to yellow toadflax in late summer or fall.