The Figwort is a wildflower in the snapdragon family that has small, brown flowers in upright, open clusters. Though the flowers are not very showy, they instead have a somewhat curious appearance, they are filled with nectar and provide food for a great variety of insects. Scrophularia marilandica, is an upright, square-stemmed, perennial with multiple branching that typically grows to 5-10' tall. It is native to open woods and roadsides from Quebec to Ontario to Minnesota south to Florida and Texas. It is found in rich moist woodlands, ravines, thickets and wood margins. Tiny, greenish-purple 2-lipped, tubular flowers (1/4" long) with reddish-brown interiors bloom in summer (July-September) in loose, terminal, pyramidal, thrysoid panicles (each to 12" tall). Long-stalked ovate to lanceolate, dull green leaves (4-6" long and to 3" wide) have serrate margins. Fruit is an ovoid capsule. Grow in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade. Thrives in sandy loams. Woodland gardens. Hardy in zones 4-7.
Growing Instructions for the Figwort
The seeds have a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year. 1. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 2. Put the bag in the refrigerator and leave it there for 1-2 months. 3. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. 4. Put the seeds on the surface of the soil and then press them into the soil. The seeds need light to germinate. 5. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 6. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.