Snapdragon

Snapdragons are a long-loved flower with two-lipped blooms shaped like a dragon’s snout, and they come in many colors including white, yellow, orange, pink, purple and bicolors. Plants range from about 6 inches (15 cm) to 3 feet (91 cm) tall. Another listing gives taller plants of 1.5 to 2.5 metres (about 5 to 8 feet). The blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Sources differ on the life cycle. One describes snapdragons as a short-lived tender perennial grown as an annual, another lists them as an annual, and a third calls them a short-lived herbaceous perennial.

Snapdragon seed needs light to sprout, so surface-sow it and cover it only enough to hold it in place. The recommended method is to sow into 128-cell flats or other seedling containers 8 to 10 weeks before planting out. Transplant seedlings once their first true leaves appear, roughly 3 to 4 weeks after sowing. Direct sowing outdoors is not recommended.

Seed can also be sown at 61 to 64 °F (16 to 18 °C) in late summer or early autumn, with young plants kept under glass over winter, or sown in early spring. The plants do well in cooler weather, so early spring and fall plantings suit them.

Light and soil. Snapdragons grow in full sun or partial shade, in moist, rich, well-drained soil. They do best in soil that tends toward alkaline pH.

Watering. Avoid overhead watering, and note that snapdragons have low drought tolerance and struggle in summer heat.

Staking and deadheading. Tall plants may need staking. Removing spent flower spikes promotes rebloom, and deadheading prolongs the flowering period.

Rust is a significant concern for snapdragons, and the plants can also be affected by mold, fungal leaf spots, downy mildew, wilt and root rots. Another listing mentions aphids, powdery mildew, and several other wilts and leaf spots as possible problems.

Snapdragons make good cut flowers.

Snapdragons are listed as non-toxic for cats and dogs. The flowers are edible but bitter, so they are best used as a garnish.