Linaria Rhythm & Blues - Moroccan toadflax seeds

Linaria maroccana 'Rhythm & Blues' is a selection of two varieties of Moroccan Toadflax, in red and violet. A powerful alliance of colours that stands up to the summer sun in borders and rockeries. This mix of annuals can be sown directly in place in spring, in the sun and well-drained soil to provide a long summer flowering that begins 6 weeks later. The flowers are borne on long, slender stems and resemble snapdragons, but they are smaller, thinner, and long-spurred, infinitely graceful. Moroccan Toadflax also makes beautiful potted plants and bouquets.

Linaria maroccana is an annual herbaceous plant in the family Scrophulariaceae, or Plantaginaceae according to another classification. It is native to Morocco, but it has become naturalised in the southeastern United States, especially in California. This species enjoys sun, heat, and well-drained rocky or sandy soils.

The 'Rhythm & Blues' selection is particularly floriferous and easy to grow. Each plant forms a clump of 50-55 cm (20-22in) high and 20-25 cm (8-10in) wide in a few weeks, composed of branched stems bearing very thin, 3-4 cm (1-2in) long green leaves. In cooler climates, flowering occurs from June to September, sometimes earlier if sown under heated shelter from March. In milder climates, seedlings grow in autumn and flower as early as April, with flowering being halted by summer drought. Like Love-in-a-Mist, this toadflax alters its vegetative cycle according to the climate. The small, two-lipped flowers are tightly packed on long terminal spikes. They are loved by pollinating insects. Annual toadflaxes readily self-sow in the garden, in light soil, but not always true to the parent plant.

Much less known and used in our gardens than Love-in-a-Mist, Cosmos, or even their cousins the Snapdragons, Moroccan Toadflaxes are just as easy to grow and their airy flowering in various colours is enchanting. They are accessible to all gardeners and easy to grow in borders, beds, or rockeries. 'Rhythm & Blues' pairs perfectly with all other toadflaxes, perennial or annual. They are perfect for wild gardens, or 'cottage gardens', but also very useful for quickly filling flower pots. Their airy spikes are well highlighted when emerging among bushy perennials (fennel, 'Banana Cream' Shasta Daisy, red hot pokers, summer asters), ground-hugging plants (wall bellflowers, aubrietas), or low-growing shrubs in muted colours ('Powis Castle' Wormwood, Blue Glacier Spurge, 'Blanche' Gaura, lavender...).