#945 Antirrhinum majus Common Names: common snapdragon Family: Scrophulariaceae (figwort Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #945

This is the pretty pink representative of the mult-colored 'Magic Carpet' dwarf snapdragon mix, a dwarf selection that is perfect for beds and mass plantings. Click to download a large version of this image.

A bed of bright yellow snapdragons decorates the courtyard of the historic Chalet Suzanne Resort and (fabulous) Restaurant near Lake Wales, Florida (and Bok Tower). In order to eat here you must be extremely well-to-do or be on a very generous expense account!

Location
Native originally to North Africa, Spain and along the Mediterranean to Italy, snapdragons have become naturalized in temperate regions in North America and elsewhere.

Culture
Snapdragons need a very well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Pinch back your snapdragons when they are a few inches tall to encourage branching, and remove old flowers after they have bloomed. Some of the tall varieties may need to be staked. Use a twiggy branch for an inconspicuous support.
Light: Snapdragons do best in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.
Moisture: Snapdragons need frequent watering for the first couple of weeks after transplanting (daily watering in sandy soils). Once established, water when the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry to the touch.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 - 11. Snapdragons perform best in cool weather, and most cultivars can tolerate frost and an occasional light freeze. They don't do well in summer heat, and in zones 9-11, snapdragons are grown in the winter.
Propagation: Although technically short-lived perennials, snapdragons are usually grown as annuals. Most cultivars come true from seed. In zones 4-7 sow snapdragon seed in spring after danger of frost has passed. Better yet, start your snapdragons indoors 6-8 weeks before the expected last frost. Snapdragon seeds need light to germinate, so don't bury them - just sprinkle them on the surface, then press them down. If starting in containers, water from below so you don't wash the tiny seeds away. In zones 8-11 you can set out plants or sow seeds where they are to be grown in fall or winter, and let them overwinter. Cover with mulch if a hard freeze is expected. Under favorable conditions, snapdragons will self-sow in the garden.

Snapdragons are beautiful, easy to grow and available in a range of colors and sizes. This bunch was identified to me by the nursery staff as "either 'Sonnet' or 'Liberty'" cultivar. This uncertainty is because some growers don't bother to use precise labels - these were labeled "assorted snapdragons" which is really annoying to those of us who like to know what we're growing - but whatever they are, they're pretty!

Features
There are about 40 species of snapdragons, but the common snapdragon, which the famous garden writer, Gertrude Jekyll called "one of the best and most admirable of all garden plants", is by far the most well known. There are more than 3000 species in the Scrophulariaceae or figwort family. Foxgloves, penstemon and butter-and-eggs are other well known "scrophs."

Steve Christman 3/1/02; updated 2/16/04

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