{"id":7125,"date":"2016-02-27T04:16:29","date_gmt":"2016-02-27T11:16:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gardenerstips.co.uk\/blog\/?p=7125"},"modified":"2019-07-29T13:19:34","modified_gmt":"2019-07-29T12:19:34","slug":"tips-for-growing-snapdragons-aka-antirrhinum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenerstips.co.uk\/blog\/flowers\/tips-for-growing-snapdragons-aka-antirrhinum\/","title":{"rendered":"Snapdragons aka Antirrhinum majus"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Antirrhinum\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Snapdragons or better known as Antirrhinum are an easy flower to grow and they provide lots of colour with a distinctive scent. Good F1 plants can grow more than 2′ tall and if pinched out they bush out quite well.
\nAvailable in a wide range of colours I try and grow the same colours together to enhance the effect.<\/p>\n

Where to Grow Snapdragons<\/h3>\n

These plants are good border flowers and can be planted in blocks, lines or singly.
\nSnapdragons do not need special soil conditions but flower best in sunshine.
\nSmaller varieties can be grown in containers.<\/p>\n

How to Grow Snapdragons<\/h3>\n

I plant plug plants from the end of April to get quick flowers.
\nFor raising Antirrhinums from seed read these tips
\n<\/a> Pinch out the tallest growing shoot when it is about 3″ tall to encourage branching and thus more flowers.
\nFeed with a tomato fertilizer if you want extra blooms.
\nWater early in the day, plants should not be left wet overnight – distorted growth can result.<\/p>\n

Snapdragons as Cut Flowers<\/h3>\n


\nSnapdragons make a colourful vase of flowers.
\nThe scent of snapdragons is distinctive and pleasant particularly the vivid reds.
\nHarvest when one third to half the florets are open.
\nSingle colour varieties\u00c2\u00a0 look best.<\/p>\n

Buying Tips<\/h3>\n

Avoid buying from a florist if the stems are pale and yellowing.
\nF1 varieties should be robust and uniform.
\n Thompson Morgan<\/a> supply various varieties including a bronzed leaf variety
\nBuy and grow from seeds for next year.<\/p>\n

Varieties to Grow<\/h3>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum Antirhodora Mixed – plants
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum Bronze Dragon – plants and seeds
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum Eternal – plants
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum Madame Butterfly F1 – plants
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum majus Brazilian Carnival – seeds category
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum majus Royal Bride – seeds category
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum nanum Black Prince – seeds category
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Antirrhinum nanum Double Sweetheart Mixed F1 – seeds category<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Other suppliers of Seed
\nChiltern Seeds<\/a>
\nSarah Ravens Garden<\/a>
\nNickys Garden<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Antirhinum<\/a><\/h3>\n

Has the Antirrhinum majus got a scent<\/h3>\n

Originally these self pollinating plants and flowers had no scent . As they do not need insects to pollinate them a scent has no purpose. Other members of the family such as Penstemon and Nemesia are also devoid of scent.
\n<\/p>\n

In the 1960’s several hybrids with tall spikes, ruffled double petals and a sweet perfume were developed. Growing over 30 inches tall and developing many spikes the three best varieties were<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Vanguard a deep cerise colour with a strong clove like scent<\/li>\n
  2. Venus semi-double peach and pink with a softer perfume<\/li>\n
  3. Super Jet with apricot yellow flowers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How the ‘Snapdragon’ got its name.<\/h3>\n

    Was it Saint George spearing the Dragon and the blood fertilising the soil. Or perhaps it was the snap of the dragons jaws as it chased the fair maiden before St George arrived on the scene.<\/p>\n

    More likely is the Henry Phillips <\/a>1820’s version ‘on pressing the sides of the flower it opens like a gaping mouth, the stigma appearing to represent the tongue and on removing the pressure the lips of the corrola snap together …’<\/p>\n

    Sowing Antirrhinums<\/h3>\n