Northern Lights' Spurred Snapdragon (Toadflax)

Linaria maroccana

Origin: Morocco

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: ~200

Germination tested 11/2023: 89%

Life cycle: Annual

Also called toadflax, Moroccan toadflax, or simply linaria, spurred snapdragons are uniquely interesting-looking flowers for the garden or vase. The cut flowers last a long time too, and as part of a centerpiece on a table you're likely to notice your guests staring at the unusual toad-like flowers! This 'Northern Lights' population comes in a range of colors from white to pink to magenta to purple, each with a yellow "tongue." The flowers really do resemble a toad's mouth!

Linnaeus named the genus "Linaria" due to the resemblance of the foliage to flax ("Linum") foliage, though the plants are not closely related at all. Toadflax is actually in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae).

Our seed comes from our friends at Wild Garden Seed in Philomath, Oregon.