Linaria purpurea Canon Went - seeds

Linaria purpurea Canon J. Went or 'Canon Went' is a variety of purple toadflax selected for its pastel pink flowering. It is a tall perennial for dry, even rocky, terrain, ideal for creating a low-maintenance garden. It produces flexible spikes adorned with flowers resembling tiny pale pink snapdragons for several weeks in summer. Its charming and airy flowering brings a natural touch to rockeries, slopes, and sunny borders. This plant self-seeds spontaneously in light soils, between stones in walls, and among rocks. Be aware that spontaneous seedlings often revert to the original type.

Linaria purpurea 'Canon Went' belongs to the Plantaginaceae or Scrophulariaceae family, depending on the classification. It is a cousin of snapdragons but larger and more elegant. The species Linaria purpurea has become naturalised in many regions, with its origins believed to be in southern Europe, possibly Italy. 'Canon Went' is a short-lived perennial (around 4 years) with rapid growth. It is a deciduous plant with an upright clump habit, reaching a minimum height of 80 cm and a diameter of 30 cm. Flowering occurs from June to September. In hot and dry climates, it fades in August and resumes in September-October. The flowers, measuring 2 cm in length, consist of two pale pink lips ending in a curved spur, revealing a white-bearded throat. They are grouped in dense spikes. After pollination, round fruits form and release numerous small black seeds when ripe. The more or less deciduous foliage adorns the slender stems. The leaves are thin, linear, lanceolate, greyish-green to bluish-green, 2 to 6 cm in length. This plant does not live very long but readily self-seeds, although not always faithfully.

Linaria purpurea 'Canon Went' adds a touch of elegance and cheer wherever it thrives. It is so undemanding that it flourishes in the poorest soils. It can be used abundantly in flowered walls, rockeries, and large dry slopes. In wild areas of the garden or in dry meadows, it can accompany Euphobia characias, tall mulleins (Verbascums), and gauras. It can also be planted among bush roses and small shrubs for dry terrain (lavenders, Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum', cistus, etc.).

Etymology: the species name 'Linaria' comes from Linum, which means flax: its fine leaves somewhat resemble those of flax.