Snapdragonis an annual plant with quite versatile use. We can find it in flower beds, planted in compositions with summer flowers and in vases. The flowers resemble, as the name suggests, small mouths. We present interestingvarieties of the snapdragonand we suggest what it should look likecultivating the snapdragonin the garden.
Snapdragon
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Snapdragon - varieties
Snapdragon, also called snapdragon(Antirrhinum majus), is an annual plant with a bushy habit and lanceolate fresh green leaves.It forms raised pink inflorescence clusters, about 60 cm high. Flowers appear from July until the first frost.
The pink basic species of tall snapdragonhas many beautiful varieties of the snapdragon . They bloom in almost all colors except blue and are, depending on the variety, 25 to 90 cm high.
Among thetall varieties of the lion's mouthwith a bushy habit, we can mention the dark carmine variety 'Jan' or the pink 'Samurai' variety and the attractive variety 'Sultan' with vermillion red flowers. These varieties are perfect for outdoor cultivation. Their flowers reach approx. 25 cm in height, and whole plants - 70 cm. They bloom from June to October.
The dwarf variety of the snapdragonwith a compact and strongly shrubby habit is the 'Nina' series.
For cultivation under cut flower covers, we have a choice ofearly snapdragonvarieties, which bloom from April to May, and later varieties, blooming from May to June, reaching a height of up to 120 cm.We have included a list of interesting varieties of the snapdragon in the table below.
Download a printable version of the Snapdragon variety:
- Snapdragon - varieties (PDF)
Snapdragon - cultivation
Snapdragon grows well in any soilN, however, the best results will be achieved in a permeable, sandy-humus substrate, fresh and in a sunny position. The lion's mouth can be grown undercovers, especially as cut flowers, and also in the ground.
In the case ofcultivation of snapdragon in the ground , seeds are sown at the end of February under covers, and in cut flower cultivation, the treated seeds are sown in a greenhouse until mid-January. The seedbed should consist of peat and sand, mixed in a ratio of 2: 1. A pH of 5.5-6.6 is recommended.
After about 4 weeks from sowing, the seedlings are plowed into multiplates or into boxes with a 4x4 spacing.Growing a lion's mouth for cut flowersplant seedlings in the greenhouse until the end of February, in tunnels until mid-March, spaced 10x15cm.
In the case of cultivating a snapdragon in the ground , when the seedling reaches about 10 cm (in mid-April, early May), it can be transplanted to a permanent place. Short varieties are planted at a distance of 20 cm, and tall ones every 35 cm.The stand for growing a snapdragon in the gardenshould be fully sunny and the soil well fertilized.
Snapdragon requires plentiful wateringduring the entire flowering period. Depending on the condition of the plants, we fertilize them by foliar or soil fertilization with multi-component fertilizers.
Good to know!
Lion's mouths, which are not intended for cut flowers, will develop a bushier, more compact habit if we break the tops of their shoots 10 cm high.
Snapdragon is suitable for multicolored flowerbedsor for creating colorful carpets. It can be combined with other plants of a similar appearance. Since its flowers do not fade, complementary plants may appear paler in color, creating an interesting contrast.White and yellow varieties of the lion's mouth look good with gailardia, and a simple and elegant composition will be created by combining a lion's mouth with marigolds.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
