AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
exposure by Fabrizio Guarisco / Shutterstock .
The snapdragon is one of those old - fashioned flowers that only gets unspoilt with metre . If you have n’t patronize around for snapdragon industrial plant or seed recently , you ’ll be stunned at what the latest hybrids have to offer , include a wider regalia of colors , growth wont , and height options , ranging from as small as a few in to several feet . you may even detect tail snapdragons everlasting for hanging baskets and windowpane box .
What has n’t transfer over the years is the snapdragon ’s affinity for cool atmospheric condition , which is why it uphold to be a linchpin for adding bold tonic of coloring to the garden in other spring and dusk . Today , you’re able to also detect heat - tolerant snapdragon variety that will bloom like mad all the mode until the first frost , even during the hottest days of summertime .
On this varlet : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Pictures|Design Ideas
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Antirrhinum majus
Plant type
shortly - lived perennial , usually uprise as an annual
Zones:
7 - 11
Exposure
Full sun to part subtlety
Height:
uncommitted in a range of heights , including dwarf ( 4 to 6 inch marvelous ) , short ( 9 to 12 inches tall ) , intermediate ( 1 to 2 feet tall ) , and improbable ( 2 to 4 feet tall ) .
Habit:
May be low - mature and cumulus - organize , improbable and spiky , or tracking , depending on the variety show .
Bloom period:
Early spring through fall . In southerly climate where winters are balmy , they will bloom in winter and spring .
Flowers:
Blooms in almost every color except honest blue , including showy atomic number 83 - colored and tri - dark-skinned mixture . The flowers may be receptive - faced , traditional ( with a hinged “ jaw ” that opens like a flying dragon ’s mouth when pinched ) , or double ( also make out as azalea snapdragons ) .
Special attributes:
What about summer snapdragons?
Do n’t obnubilate snapdragon withangelonia plants(Angelonia angustifolia ) , also known as “ summer snapdragons . ” Although the two flowers are similar in appearance , angelonias , unlike most snapdragons , thrive in summer heat .
TYPES
plant life breeders assign grouping numbers to snapdragons based on their twenty-four hour period length indigence and bloom seasons . chemical group number set out from 1 to 4 , with some lap of group .
To enjoy the long bloom windowpane possible , consider turn snapdragon change from each of the four mathematical group , with Group 1 plant life being the early to flower .
PLANTING SNAPDRAGONS
Snapdragon seedling . Photo by ABO Photography .
When to plant:
Since most snapdragons perform well in the cooler calendar month , the best metre to plant them is in early saltation ( colder climates ) or fall ( warm climates ) . Because they will tolerate light frosts , they can be sic out in the outflow garden a week or two before the medium last icing particular date in your area . In hot mood ( zones 8 - 11 ) , put plants in the ground by the end of November for winter and early spring bloom .
Where to plant:
snapdragon bloom better when they have full sunlight exposure ( at least 6 hour day by day ) , but will also grow well in a partially shaded location , particularly in hotter clime .
How to plant:
When growing snapdragons from baby’s room starts , dig a kettle of fish just slimly larger than the works ’s root ball . Carefully withdraw the plant from its container and place it in the muddle so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground . Backfill with soil , gently pressing it into place , and water thoroughly . Space plant 6 to 12 inch apart ( calculate on their size at due date ) to allow enough elbow room for branching and the product of multiple stem .
Soil:
plant prefer moist , well - drained soil rich in organic topic . Although they will tolerate clay and sandy soils , they may not perform as expected .
Growing from seed:
Growing snapdragons from seed gives you a much blanket selection of plants to choose from , including punishing - to - feel heirloom varieties . It ’s best to sow in the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the net spring frost in your orbit so you have a longer time to enjoy the blooms before the heat of midsummer arrives . In balmy mood ( zones 7 to 11 ) , you’re able to seed the seeds out of doors in previous fall or winter for early spring efflorescence .
Because snapdragon seeds need light to germinate , iron out them unwaveringly into the soil but do not cover . Keep the territory equally moist , and rate the seed trays in a fond positioning ( 60 ° to 70 ° degree Fahrenheit ) under grow lights or fluorescent lighting . Once the seedlings develop a few sets of foliage , step by step acclimatize them to outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden . After the transplant are established , pinch them back at the steer by an inch or two to encourage branching .
Planting in containers:
All but the tallest diverseness of snapdragon spring up well in containers , especially nanus and trailing types . Be certain to choose a container that drains well and use a high - timber , all - determination potting mix . Because snapdragon often take a interruption from blossom during the heating of the summer , they are best suited for early saltation and fall container planting , pair with other cool - weather condition annuals such aspansies , fresh alyssum , African daisy(Osteospermum),dianthus , andlobelia .
Propagation:
From seed , fore cuttings , or root division . Note that seeds from cultivate varieties may not raise dependable to type .
SNAPDRAGON CARE
Watering:
Water snapdragon plants regularly the first few weeks after planting to keep the soil evenly moist . Once the roots become establish , you should give your plant about an inch of water per week during periods of no rain . If the top inch of stain feel ironic to the touch , it ’s time to water . To forestall fungal disease , avoid overhead tearing and water early on in the day so the foliage has a chance to dry before crepuscle .
Amendments and fertilizer:
Because snapdragon like to put down roots in fertile , well - drain soil , amend the soil at planting time with plenty of compost , mixing it in to a depth of about 6 in . After planting , enforce a stratum of mulcharound your plant to help hold grunge wet and keep the roots cool .
Once the flower stalking set about to appear on your plants in spring and early summertime , start giving your snapdragons regular coating of a balanced fertiliser . For the best show of flowers , fertilize your plant every 2 to 4 weeks while they are actively blooming .
Pruning and deadheading:
To extend the anthesis time of year , you should deadhead your snapdragon as shortly as the blooms fade to prevent them from choke to sow . To murder the spent flowers , clip them off at the stem just above a leaf guest . Once the sometime bow are clip , young stems will commence to emerge , prolonging the flowered show right until the first Robert Lee Frost .
Harvesting:
Taller snapdragons are with child for slip and can last for over a week in a vase if you harvest them when the salad days on the downhearted third of the flower spike have open and the top bud are still closed in ( snapdragon rosiness from the bottom up ) . Cut the stems at the base , and strip aside any lower leaves that might posture below the waterline of the vase . harvest is best fulfil in the morning rather than during the passion of midday , when water loss due to transpiration is greater . Get more tips forkeeping shorten flowers fresh .
Pest and diseases:
Insect pests to watch out for includespider mites , thrips , andaphids . Snapdragons are also susceptible to snapdragon rust ( a foliar disease that cause sensationalistic spots on the leaves),anthracnose , botrytis blight , downy mildew , andpowdery mould .
To preclude fungal diseases , infinite plants far enough apart to allow for good atmosphere circulation and avoid overhead watering . Also look for snapdragon assortment that are bred to be rust - resistant .
SNAPDRAGON VARIETIES
photograph : All America Selections
DoubleShot ™ Orange Bicolor
Height/spread:
18 to 20 inches tall , 6 to 10 inches wide
A 2023 All - America Selections victor featuring stunning open - faced double flowers in vibrant nicety of orange and orangish - red ink . AAS judges were especially impressed by the firm , sturdy prow and heavy branching , which resulted in a profusion of flowers all season long .
Rocket Bronze
30 to 36 inches tall , 16 to 18 inches broad
Snapdragons in the Rocket series are more heat broad than other character and are at their peak of bloom of youth during the longer , hot days of late outflow and summer . Rocket Bronze have heyday in warm yellow , peach , and pink tones borne on tall , tough stems . Other colouration in the series let in blush wine , pink , ruby-red , golden , lemon , and white .
Twinny Peach ™
7 to 12 inches improbable , 8 to 10 inches wide
specially well - suited for containers and the front of the border , this double - flowered dwarf snapdragon make thick mounds of velvety blooms in soft tint of yellow and peach . Tolerant of both hot and pixilated weather conditions .
Madame Butterfly Mix
24 to 36 column inch marvelous , 14 to 16 inches wide-cut
Frilly , doubly - petaled , azalea - like blooms come in a gorgeous mix of bronze , ivory , cherry , pink , jump , peach , cerise , and yellow . Because the double peak are so full and dense , they are hard for insect to pollinate , so they often last longer than single - flowered types .
Photo : Ursula Page / Shutterstock
confect rain shower
4 to 6 inches tall , spreading up to 12 inch
These trailing snapdragon look lovely spilling over the sides of containers and hanging basketball hoop , creating a beautiful shower of flowers in brainy shades of orangish , deep purpleness , red , yellow , originate , and pink . The creep emergence riding habit also reach it useful as a colored groundcover . Blooms advantageously during the cooler , shorter days of early spring and decline .
exposure : Jenny Rainbow / Shutterstock
Appleblossom
Up to 36 inch magniloquent and 12 inch wide
This bungalow garden favorite features large , ruffled flower combine whispering - soft tones of pink , peach , and apricot . Will blossom from spring mightily through to mid - fall if the spend bloom are deadheaded regularly .
LANDSCAPE IDEAS
Snapdragons can be used as a ground cover , edging flora , back of the borderline ( if imbed tall - stemmed variety show ) , container , cut flower garden , cottage gardens , andpollinator garden .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are snapdragons perennials?
They are sore perennials usually grow as hardy or half - sturdy annuals . In zone 7 to 11 , where the plants are hardy , they are considered to be unretentive - lived perennials .
Learn dispute between one-year and perennial plants .
When do snapdragons bloom?
Most snapdragon opt cool temperature for unfolding , ideally around 40 ° F during the Nox and 70 ° F during the day . They may halt blooming for a myopic prison term during the uttermost heat of midsummer ( unless you ’re produce a heat - tolerant variety ) , but will usually gain vigor up again when the cool weather of autumn arrive if you keep them well - watered . In milder climates , they may continue to bloom throughout the wintertime .
Are snapdragons poisonous to cats or dogs?
Snapdragons are non - toxic to cats , dogs , and horses , allot to theASPCA . See morecommon plants good for cats and dogs .
Are snapdragon flowers edible?
Like pansies , nasturtium , lavender , and otheredible peak , snapdragons are secure to eat and make a beautiful garnish for salad , afters , charcuterie control board , and drinks . apply them meagerly , though , because the flavor is slightly bitter . And never run through blooms from a works that has been sprayed with toxic pesticide or herbicides ..
Do deer eat snapdragons?
Because of their bitter taste , snapdragons are seldom nibbled on by deer , unless they are curious or really hungry . In fact , Rutgers Universityranks snapdragon as one of the good cervid - tolerant plants for the garden . See moredeer - resistant plants and heyday .
Do snapdragons come back every year?
In zona 7 to 11 , snapdragons often exist the winter and will render the next season . But even when they winter successfully , these short - inhabit perennial seldom bloom as vigorously as they do in their first year . If you want to offer their lifespan , let your plants go to seed in the fall . If you leave the dirt undisturbed , unpaid worker may pullulate up in your garden the following spring .
