How much sun does Hound's-tongue need?

Hound's-tongue grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Hound's-tongue bloom?

Hound's-tongue blooms in May, June, and July.

What pollinators does Hound's-tongue attract?

Hound's-tongue draws bees and beetles.

Is Hound's-tongue HOA-friendly?

Hound's-tongue takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hound's-tongue

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cynoglossum officinale

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Native alternatives to Hound's-tongue

Hound's-tongue is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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Hound's-tongue is a biennial wildflower that produces clusters of small reddish-purple flowers from late spring through summer. This European native has coarse, hairy leaves and can self-seed readily in garden settings. The plant dies back completely after its second year of growth.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hound's-tongue takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Non-native species may raise concerns
Irregular growth habit looks weedy
Biennial lifecycle creates gaps in plantings

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and beetles during the blooming period. However, this plant is not native to North America and provides limited ecological benefits compared to indigenous species.

Common questions

How much sun does Hound's-tongue need?: Hound's-tongue grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Hound's-tongue bloom?: Hound's-tongue blooms in May, June, and July.
What pollinators does Hound's-tongue attract?: Hound's-tongue draws bees and beetles.
Is Hound's-tongue HOA-friendly?: Hound's-tongue takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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