Dog Figwort: A Lesser-Known Perennial with Limited Garden Information
If you’ve stumbled upon the name dog figwort (Scrophularia canina canina) in your plant research, you’re likely wondering what this perennial has to offer your garden. While this herbaceous plant belongs to the figwort family, detailed information about this specific subspecies is surprisingly scarce in gardening circles.
What Is Dog Figwort?
Dog figwort is a perennial forb, meaning it’s an herbaceous plant that lacks significant woody tissue above ground. Like other forbs, it dies back to ground level each winter but returns from its root system the following spring. This growth pattern makes it different from woody shrubs or trees that maintain their structure year-round.
Where Does It Grow?
In the United States, Scrophularia canina canina has been documented growing in New Jersey. As a non-native species, it was originally introduced from elsewhere and has established itself in the wild without human assistance.
Should You Plant Dog Figwort?
Here’s where things get tricky. While dog figwort isn’t listed as invasive or noxious, the limited available information about its garden performance, growing requirements, and ecological impact makes it difficult to recommend with confidence. When a plant lacks well-documented horticultural information, it often means:
- It may not be readily available in the nursery trade
- Growing success stories are uncommon
- Its garden value hasn’t been well-established
Consider Native Alternatives
Since dog figwort is non-native and information about its garden benefits is limited, you might want to explore native figwort species instead. Native plants offer several advantages:
- Better support for local wildlife and pollinators
- Natural adaptation to local growing conditions
- Well-documented growing information
- Availability from native plant nurseries
Native figworts like American figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata) or late figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) might provide similar aesthetic appeal with better-understood growing requirements and proven wildlife benefits.
The Bottom Line
While dog figwort isn’t necessarily a bad plant choice, the lack of specific growing information and its non-native status make it a questionable addition to most gardens. If you’re drawn to figworts, consider researching native species in your area that will provide clearer benefits to both your landscape and local ecosystem.
Sometimes the most interesting garden discoveries come from plants that are well-documented and proven performers. In the case of dog figwort, you might find more gardening success and satisfaction by choosing plants with established track records and clear ecological benefits.
