Growing Snapdragon

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EllenB
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Botanical Name:

Antirrhinum majus

Life Cycle:

annual, tender perennial

Planting Time:

spring

Height:

dwarf 8" to 12 "; full-sized 1' to 3'

Exposure:

full sun

Soil:

rich, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

zones 4-11

Bloom Time:

summer

Flower:

variety of colors

Foliage:

vertical green spikes

Propagation:

seeds

Suggested Use:

beds, borders, and bouquets

Growing Hints:

Purchase seedlings or start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before you last spring frost. Seeds need light to germinated so don't cover them with soil, just press them lightly into the surface. Keep sprouts cool (55º F) until they're ready to transplant outdoors. Seedlings will tolerate some frost. Space them from 6 to 12 inches apart. During hot summer days, if plants start looking dull and droopy, cut them down by half and apply an organic fertilizer to reinvigorate their growth. Watch for orange spots indicating a fungal disease called rust and treat with a dusting of sulfur if necessary.

Interesting Facts:

Before plant breeders developed today's varieties, snap dragons had a bad reputation with gardeners for having flowers that fell apart shortly after being pollinated by bees.