Hardiness zones
Sunset All
USDA All
Landscape Use: A perennial cultivated as a winter annual in Phoenix for winter garden color, cut flowers, formal flower borders from small to large
Form & Character: Perennial, stiff and formal, decidedly European or 'Old World' in character
Growth Habit: Very much depends on cultivar vigor, ranging from 6" to 3', upright
Foliage/texture: Medium green, simple, elliptical to oval to 1-2" long, medium texture
Flowers & fruits: Flowers with 5 lobes which are divided into unequal upper and lower 'jaws'. Give the snap dragon flower a slight pinch at each side and it will make the 'dragon open its mouth'. Flower colors are many ranging from white, yellow, orange, salmon, pink, red, to burgundy. Multicolored cultivars too! Snap dragon flowers are pollinated by bees. Seeds are green oblong with single hair at end.
Seasonal color: Winter and early Spring in Phoenix. Otherwise varies with geographical location.
Temperature: Best below 80oF, not for greater than 90oF
Light: Partial to full sun
Soil: Light garden soil best with ample organic matter
Watering: Regular
Pruning: None, except to remove individual spent flower stalks to promote continued flowering for as long as the cool weather will cooperate.
Propagation: Seed will germinate in 7-14 days when soil temperatures are between 65 and 70oF. Press seed into soil, do not cover. Will occasionally reseed during ensuing early winter months.
Disease and pests: Rust, nematodes, fungal root rots
Additional comments: Snapdragons have been hybridized for a long time, and the selection is very large. There are literally hundreds of named cultivated varieties that are generally grouped by height and flower color. Some modern varieties have open-faced, Azalea-like double flowers. There is also variation in leaf coloring, one of the prettiest being 'Black Prince', with purple leaves and deep crimson flowers. Taller forms are valuable cut flower. However, dwarf forms are best for landscape use in mass. New cultivars available yearly.
