Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
Also listed as Orontium majus, Termontis racemosa
Also known as Garden Snapdragon
Climate Match for your location
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Snapdragons are upright flowering perennials prized for their tall spikes of colorful, tubular blooms that resemble a dragon's mouth. They thrive in cool seasons and are often grown as annuals, blooming prolifically from late spring through fall.
Why grow it
Snapdragons offer reliable vertical interest and dense flower coverage compared to other tall annuals, making them effective for garden structure and cutting. They tolerate poor soil better than many ornamentals and bloom consistently through warm months with minimal fertilizer, fitting well into low-input growing systems. Their preference for cool conditions and short-day photoperiods makes them particularly valuable in spring and fall gardens where heat-sensitive perennials decline.
Watch out for
Snapdragons require consistent moisture during establishment and can develop root rot in poorly drained soil, so site preparation matters more than ongoing care. Deadheading extends bloom time noticeably but is labor-intensive with large plantings; consider varieties bred for continuous bloom if regular maintenance is impractical. They self-seed readily in favorable conditions and may volunteer in subsequent seasons, which some gardeners appreciate and others find problematic.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Snapdragons are upright flowering perennials prized for their tall spikes of colorful, tubular blooms that resemble a dragon's mouth. They thrive in cool seasons and are often grown as annuals, blooming prolifically from late spring through fall.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Snapdragon grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Snapdragons offer reliable vertical interest and dense flower coverage compared to other tall annuals, making them effective for garden structure and cutting. They tolerate poor soil better than many ornamentals and bloom consistently through warm months with minimal fertilizer, fitting well into low-input growing systems. Their preference for cool conditions and short-day photoperiods makes them particularly valuable in spring and fall gardens where heat-sensitive perennials decline.
Watch out for
Snapdragons require consistent moisture during establishment and can develop root rot in poorly drained soil, so site preparation matters more than ongoing care. Deadheading extends bloom time noticeably but is labor-intensive with large plantings; consider varieties bred for continuous bloom if regular maintenance is impractical. They self-seed readily in favorable conditions and may volunteer in subsequent seasons, which some gardeners appreciate and others find problematic.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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