Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are usually grown as annuals, but they are in fact, short-lived perennials (Zones 7 -11).     In our area, a couple may survive the winter, but most are finished with a hard frost, but they readily self-seed for the following growing season.

• Snapdragons can be grown from seed, but they are slow to germinate and grow to flowering height.
• We usually spread and lightly cover seed in late fall which stratifies the seed, but also gives it an early spring start.
• Seed can also be collected in the fall.   Pick the brown capsules, crush the husk, and spill the contents into a jar.
• Snapdragons prefer a sunny location.    They grow best in the cooler months and may provide a fall blaze of color.
• Pinching the tips of side shoots may encourage more branches.    Deadheading encourages more blooms in the fall
• Water, but don’t overwater snapdragons.   They prefer well-drained soil.
• A general balanced fertilizer can be used, but they survive well with some neglect if they have the right spot.
• Snapdragons get their name from the “jaws”, the two lips on the terminal spike.
• Bumblebees can get inside the “jaws”, but smaller bees may not be able to pollinate snapdragons.
• Snapdragons can be propagated by cuttings or divisions, but we have been happy with winter seeding.    A lot less work….
• There are dwarf, medium, tall, and trailing varieties.    We have been reseeding varietals from our original seed purchase, the Rocket Series.   There are many species and varietals of snapdragons.
• Some images are shared here.    All photos by the author, from our garden.    click an image for a lightbox (larger) view and a caption/ID.

snapdragon

snapdragons and forget-me-nots

snapdragons

snapdragons

snapdragons

snapdragons

snapdragon

• Snapdragons are a herbaceous perennial, growing from 0.5 m to 1.0m tall.
• Lance-shaped (lanceolate) leaves grow from the stems in a spiral pattern.
• The stalks can become woody.
• Flowers are found on the stem spikes.    Colors vary from purple, red, yellow, white, pink, and red.    Wild varieties are most often yellow.
• In our opinion, snapdragons are one of the foundations plants of our garden, a reliable and impressive flower.