Absolutely 5 star for this plant!
Here is why:
-Color
It come with a wide variety of shade in the purple-rose palet...Read Morete..Some have a definitively deep purple flower some a almost white one with a lot of in between.
-Flower density
It has a incredible ration flower to leaves ratio when planted en masse
They do not mind to be overcrowded (and actually you will over-plant considering that produce one of the smallest seeds in the plant kingdom).The result is a incredible blend of flower color densely packed together.
-Pollinator attractor
People like me addicted to lure bee and bumblebee and in general pollinator find this plant a true gem for pollinator. Bumblebee go crazy on the nectar rich flower!
-KEY Blooming time (FILLER):
It typically bloom in June(in area 7), when a lot of spring flowering plant are already done and the summer bloomer did not start yet. A nice filler between the two major Waves of bloom in the garden.
-Vigorous growing, but not aggressive
I planted several time in my garden and let them self seed...the following year a couple of shy patches come out but if you are not replanting they will peter-out in two year at most. For my area in not invasive at all (actually I wished it reseed better).
-Easy to germinate/grow
The seed can pop-up as early as 3 days, if bought from good seed company (Sample seed shop, Everwilde, Wildseed Farm , Swallowtail seed are excellent choices) and grow fast and vigorously in no time.
Tips to grow:
Linaria maroccana and similar species like chiller temperature (many of them come from the mediterranean area where the wet season is winter to spring, with relatively cold temperature) then many annual although it will not withstand cold temperature as viola/pansy.
So make sure you plant for a June display (about 8-12 weeks from seed to boom) or fall display.
Plant in full sun (otherwise they will drop a lot), and do not plant smaller annual nearby.
These put on an amazing show in my raised beds. I surface sowed them after everything else was planted, they had a lot of water and fille...Read Mored in the beds with beautiful color. Next year...many more.
I live in Texas, zone 9, and dearly love this plant-------but have learned from experience as well as advice from the Horticulture Dept. ...Read Moreof Texas A&M that it DOES NOT freeze in a temperate zone such as this. In fact, if you wait till spring to plant the seeds as I did once, you will be disappointed with the results. I learned the hard way! START THEM IN LATE FALL! and then follow the directions about thinning them given above by someone from California. ENJOY!
Sown in Late Jan., will produce profuse carpet of multiple blooms on thin1 ft stalk by mid April in zone 10a. Likes moderate water from...Read More ground level. Sow seed sparingly or will choke out other seedlings. Once seedlings have at least one set of leaves, may be easily transplanted in clumps, then thinned once they have reached 3 in. Susceptable to aphids just before bloom. Seed pods are easy to collect and store.
El Sobrante, CA (Zone 9b) | November 2003 | positive
I love to keep linaria in a window box along my walkway - because the details of them are so fine. En masse or just a handful, they are c...Read Moreonsistent bloomers for me, low maintenance, and a joy to have in the garden.
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | March 2001 | positive
One of the best annuals available for adding delightful jewel-like color to seeded meadows. Bright pink, red, yellow, and purple bi-color...Read Moreed blooms along upright stems make a meadow shimmer with color. Always a favorite with children. Will re-seed if not deadheaded.
Absolutely 5 star for this plant!
Here is why:
-Color
It come with a wide variety of shade in the purple-rose palet...Read More
These put on an amazing show in my raised beds. I surface sowed them after everything else was planted, they had a lot of water and fille...Read More
I live in Texas, zone 9, and dearly love this plant-------but have learned from experience as well as advice from the Horticulture Dept. ...Read More
Fairy dust at its best. We scattered hundreds of seeds in a sunny area and ended up with a feast for the eyes.
Sown in Late Jan., will produce profuse carpet of multiple blooms on thin1 ft stalk by mid April in zone 10a. Likes moderate water from...Read More
I love to keep linaria in a window box along my walkway - because the details of them are so fine. En masse or just a handful, they are c...Read More
One of the best annuals available for adding delightful jewel-like color to seeded meadows. Bright pink, red, yellow, and purple bi-color...Read More