Linaria purpurea Canon J. Went

Linaria purpurea Canon J. Went, also known as purple toadflax Canon Went, is a tall drought-resistant perennial. It produces dense and flexible spikes of tiny, pale pink flowers, which add a delightful and airy touch to flower beds throughout the summer. This plant naturalizes in light soils, between stone walls, and in rock gardens. Be aware that spontaneous seedlings often revert to the original type.

Linaria purpurea Canon J. Went belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. It is a larger and more elegant cousin of the toadflax. Linaria purpurea, from which it is a cultivar, has become naturalized in many regions, with its origins believed to be in southern Europe, possibly Italy. Linaria purpurea 'Canon Went' is a deciduous perennial with an upright clump habit, reaching a minimum height of 80 cm (32in) and a diameter of 30 cm (12in). It flowers from June to September, fading in August and then blooming again in September-October in hot and dry climates. The flowers are 2 cm (1in) long, composed of two pale pink lips ending in a curved spur, revealing a white bearded throat. They are densely arranged in spikes. The leaf foliage is slender and linear, with lanceolate grey-green leaves measuring 2 to 6 cm (1 to 2in) long. This plant does not live for a very long time but re-seeds (not always faithfully) easily.

Purple toadflax 'Canon Went' brings cheerfulness wherever it thrives. It is so undemanding that it thrives in the poorest soils. It can be used generously in flowered walls, rock gardens, and large dry slopes. In dry and wild areas of the garden, it can be paired with Euphorbia polychroma, penstemons, horned poppies, tall hybrid mulleins like 'Pink Domino', or perennial flax. It is also perfect for bordering sunny perennial beds, and pairs well with bush roses and small bush deciduous shrubs (lavenders, teucriums, cistus).

Etymology: the species name 'Linaria' comes from LINUM, which means flax, due to the shape of the leaves, which resemble those of flax.