Snapdragons (Antirrhinum), so called as their hinged flowers open and
close like the mouth of a dragon when pinched at the sides with your
thumb and forefinger, make an excellent addition to the garden and are a
great choice of plant if gardening with children.
Equally at home in beds, borders or containers, the snapdragon is a
staple bedding plant that adds masses of color to the garden. If you
would like to grow these plants from seed please view our
Links page for seed selection.
How to grow
Snapdragons are fairly undemanding plants and you can sometimes see them
growing from cracks in walls where seeds have fallen. Given the
correct conditions and regular care these great plants will reward you
with masses of blooms. If you cannot plant your snapdragons following
their delivery water them well and store them in a cool and bright space
until you can move them in to the garden.
Position
Snapdragons enjoy full sun but can also be planted in part shade. To
keep blooms at their best shelter plants from cold winds.
Soil
Snapdragons grow best in fertile but free draining soil. To achieve the
best conditions possible add lots of organic matter to soil, such as
well-rotted garden compost or multi-purpose compost. This
will give plants the optimum conditions to grow and as a result you
will be rewarded with an excellent season of flowers.
Care
It is essential that you keep the soil around your plants moist. This
is most important if growing plants in containers, which dry out quickly in
hotter months. You can add
Water Beads to pots, window boxes and hanging baskets or you may wish to
add an irrigation system for ease
of watering. A regular application of well-balanced fertilizer will also
help plants to grow well and flower late in to the season.
Top
Tip
Remove faded blooms from your plants as this will help to promote repeat
flowering. Snapdragons will bloom late in to the season and by
removing faded blooms energy is redirected from making seed and put in
to making more flowers.
