Linaria alpina

A sprawling or scrambling alpine plant, this forms a low carpet of narrow, light-green leaves. Small snapdragon-like violet-purple flowers have a contrasting golden-orange lip, appearing over many weeks during the summer. Plants form a deep root and resent being moved. A biennial or short-lived perennial, this will self-seed where happy without becoming a weed. Particularly happy growing in a sunny gravel garden or alpine scree, but also useful for edging the sunny and dry border. Needs good drainage in winter. Not a good choice for regions with hot and humid summers.