The charming snapdragon, whose inflorescences invite you to admire individual flowers and look for colorful associations with their shape, is one of the most beloved herbaceous soloists. Despite the fact that antirrinum has many perennial species in nature, only the incomparable annual snapdragons have become famous as an ornamental plant. A rich color palette and a huge assortment of varieties of all sizes and shapes allows everyone to find stars for their garden. And even some of the capriciousness of this flyer does not reduce its popularity.
Snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus ‘Cool Rose’. © Adam Fagen Content:
Antirrinum - a beautiful garden annual with flowers of unusual shape
Snapdragons are touching garden annuals that boast both beautiful detail and considerable variety. Antirrinums have been grown as ornamental plants for more than five hundred years, and their popularity is in no way inferior to their former glory. Moreover, every year breeders tirelessly develop new and improved varieties, the inflorescences of which are striking in size and massiveness.
Antirrinum, or snapdragons (Antirrhinum) reaches a height of 15 cm to 1 m. They can be grown as annuals or biennials. Straight, branched shoots form bushes that look like cones or pyramids, neat, dense and graceful. The shoots are most often green, sometimes with a purple bloom. The lower opposite leaves are replaced by alternately arranged upper ones, the shape ranges from oval to lanceolate, but in general the foliage serves more as a background than as a visible decoration.
The main pride of the snapdragon is its unusual flowers. Their original form, which gave the plant its favorite popular name, fascinates even experienced gardeners. Thanks to the unusual flowers, which actually resemble yawning faces and densely cover the bushes, it is impossible to take your eyes off the antirrinum. Blooming snapdragons seem lush and elegant, festive.
The flowers are two-lipped, sometimes double. Collected in fairly dense clusters of inflorescences. The shape, which when you press the flower from the side “opens” like a mouth, is especially noticeable in large varieties and varieties and is less pronounced in dwarf snapdragons.
The color palette of snapdragon includes a variety of shades of white, orange, yellow, crimson, and red. At the same time, the colors themselves are diverse and variable, sometimes bright and catchy, sometimes delicate, sometimes watercolor, sometimes monotonous or variegated... Each flower blooms for 12 days, and the whole plant blooms for at least three months. The flowering period of snapdragon covers the entire summer and lasts until frost. Snapdragon is, moreover, a very aromatic plant, exuding a sweet trail of sweet honey scent.
Tall snapdragons. © PROVAL Algemesi Species and varietal diversity of snapdragons
There are more than fifty in the genus Antirrinum various types plants. But in ornamental gardening they use only one - Snapdragon, or antirrhinum major (antirrhinum majus). Azarina ( Asarina), formerly classified as an antirrhinum, is today classified as an independent genus of liana plants.
Despite the fact that snapdragon is a separate species antirrinum, it is divided into several groups, or types, according to growth. And the quantity and range of varieties allows everyone to choose a plant according to their taste. There is an ideal snapdragon for any ensemble, even with the most unusual concept and design style.
Among the snapdragons there are:
Tall antirrhinums- spectacular and large accents, herbaceous annuals with a height of 65 to 110 cm. Their bushes branch weakly, are compact and dense, the shoots seem to be arranged according to rank. These antirrhinums are characterized by the most spectacular large and dense inflorescences, which are best suited for cutting. The best varieties include:
- variety group ‘ Rocket' with rhododendron-like double flowers;
- variety ' Rocket Lemon', with a light green, delicate color of the inflorescences, which gives the inflorescences extraordinary attractiveness in bouquets;
- meter grade ‘ Rocket Orchid' with a rare lavender color of flowers, which sets the bushes apart from ordinary ones and takes the elegance of the structure of the inflorescences to a new level;
- variety ' Rocket Golden' with golden-green inflorescences on peduncles up to 1 m high;
- variety ' Rocket Bronze with a pink-salmon color, which is especially impressive due to orange and yellow tints;
- variety group ‘ Madam Butterfly with elegant colorful plants and a colorful palette;
- an unusual bicolor variety with a yellow border along pale pink petals ‘ Tip Top Irma’;
- series of varieties ‘ Tip Tor’ with variegated colors, a decorative border on flowers and a height of about 80 cm (good for decorative compositions, and for cutting);
- resistant variety ‘ Alaska' with a very weakly branched, slightly boring bush, but luxurious inflorescences up to 25 cm long and a shining snow-white color;
- the “Vulcan” variety, which forms narrow bushes, about 70 cm high, with bright leaves and yellow-beige inflorescences, very fragrant, but not too dense;
- narrow pyramidal, early variety ‘Brilliantrosa’ up to 80 cm high with half the diameter, very large and showy leaves and bright pink, fragrant inflorescences that effectively color the bushes;
- also a narrow, elegant variety ‘ Velvet Giant' with reddish leaves, dark purple, blackish red flowers in medium-dense, but surprisingly showy inflorescences;
- variety ' Cherry Improved' with a rich, cherry-pink color of catchy lush inflorescences;
- variety ' The Rose' with silk, pink flowers classical shapes that breathe romance and classical beauty.
Medium height, or semi-high antirrinums- compact, abundantly colored and more spreading varieties with a height of 20 to 60 cm. The bushes of medium-sized antirrinums branch much more strongly than tall varieties, and are more lush. But they also have fewer inflorescences, which is compensated by the possibility of choosing varieties with different flowering periods - from early to very late. The best varieties include:
- legendary variety ‘ Black Prince', with dark greenery and seemingly black shoots, luxurious dark burgundy color of exquisite flowers; half-meter, noble and unusually impressive;
- variety series with early flowering ‘ Coronette', better suited for container culture; all antirrinums in the series are very resistant to rust and diseases, there are varieties with a variety of colors from white, yellow, copper and pink to purple (for example, a multi-colored variety mixture ‘ Coronette Formula Mix');
- 'Wildrose'- a beautiful variety with a bush height of 40 cm and inflorescences up to 20 cm with a loose structure, giving large flowers with a rich, medium pink color special expressiveness;
- variety ‘ Golden Monarch', unusually spreading, half a meter high, wide, with large leaves and equally large lemon-colored flowers, one of the best late varieties;
- compact half-meter early variety ‘ Defiance' with slender bushes, wide, pink leaves and narrow, unusually sparse inflorescences with differently colored yellow, orange and purple flowers;
- early variety ‘ Libesglut' with dense, fairly narrow bushes and dark foliage color, perfectly emphasizing the beauty of massive cherry blossoms;
- medium grade ‘ Red Chief' with massive, lush greenery, seemingly dense and dense, but with inflorescences of medium density, albeit a very beautiful carmine color of dark, large flowers.
Medium-sized or semi-tall antirrinums.© Nemo’s great uncle Low growing snapdragons- antirrinums no more than 30-40 cm high. The bushes consist of a surprisingly large number of shoots, splayed, semicircular. The inflorescences of the varieties are smaller and looser than those of medium and large ones, and among the low antirrinums there are only varieties with medium and early flowering. The best varieties include:
- 'Crimson Velvet' about 30 cm high with dense large foliage and fairly large dark red inflorescences;
- variety ' Schneeflocke' about 25 cm high, characterized by a spherical shape, elongated leaves and small white flowers in openwork inflorescences;
- variety series ‘ Crown' with average height bushes 30-35 cm, ideal for the foreground of flower beds and containers, with a short growing season.
Dwarf snapdragons limited to 15-20 cm in height. The bushes branch strongly, as if they are spreading. The inflorescences are small-flowered and short, only up to 10 cm in length. The best varieties miniature antirrhinums are considered:
- legendary variety about 20 cm high with a spherical bush shape ‘ Tom-Tumb' with very thin shoots, large leaves and short but amazingly dense inflorescences of bright lemon color with a dark spot on the lip of each flower;
- variety group ‘ Floral' with unusually compact, dense bushes and a large palette of original solid and variegated colors, bred specifically for pot culture;
- variety group " Hobbit", in which the flowers are wide open, the bushes seem delicate and elegant, and the colors range from white and yellow to orange, pink and dark red.
Today, ampelous varieties are considered as new subspecies of snapdragon. They flaunt drooping shoots reaching a meter in length, looking great in hanging baskets and balcony boxes. We have on sale both the basic variety “Lampion” and its individual forms with improved endurance or new colors.
Snapdragon. © Paul Sullivan Snapdragon is used in garden design:
- for flower beds and summer beds;
- in the design of lush-colored ensembles;
- for decorating ridges, flower beds and groups of ornamental plants with long-flowering accents;
- as a temporary edge under bushes;
- in texture mixborders;
- as a container and potted plant for decorating terraces, recreation areas, balconies;
- in flowerpots on plinths and stone flower bowls;
- as a cut crop (including for forcing).
Snapdragon inflorescences retain the unique ability not to lose freshness for up to 2 weeks in bouquets, while all the antirrhinum buds gradually bloom and not a single one fades when closed. But it is better to choose for cutting only the inflorescences in which the first flowers have bloomed, and the majority remain closed in buds.
The best partners for antirium: marine lobularia, cosmos, sage, mint
Conditions required for snapdragon
Due to its plasticity and ability to grow equally effectively in different conditions, snapdragon is rightfully included in the ranks of the best summer growers. This handsome man does not like drafts, much less windy areas. But if you provide it with a comfortable, warm, protected place, then the snapdragon will delight you both in sunny and shaded areas. He will not tolerate strong shade, but any partial shade will suit him as well as open places. If you grow plants for cutting, it is better to choose sunny locations.
Undemandingness to soil is another trump card of snapdragon. He only does not like waterlogging, dampness, which will be destructive for the plant. And it can settle on any medium-moist or dry soils. It is especially decorative on loams and sandstones. The higher the soil nutritional value, the better. For depleted and ordinary soil, it is better to add fertilizers to the soil during pre-planting improvement. Antirrinums bloom best on loams that are nutritious, moderately moist and of high quality.
Planting snapdragon seedlings in the soil
Before planting snapdragons in the ground, it needs to be improved. The plant responds especially well to a mixture of complete mineral fertilizers and organic matter - compost, humus, wood ash. Organic fertilizers are applied at the rate of 3-4 kg per square meter, mineral mixtures - in standard doses recommended by the manufacturer. Digging the soil should involve working to a depth of at least 40 cm.
Snapdragons are planted in a permanent place in the garden or in pots and containers for the garden and balconies only after the soil has completely warmed up and the threat of serious night frosts has disappeared. The traditional planting time is the second half of May. If pinching was not done before planting, then when carrying it it is better to pinch the top.
The optimal planting distance for snapdragons is from 15 cm to half a meter; for small varieties, dense planting is used; for large varieties, a lot of space is left.
Snapdragon seedlings. © Gardenseedsmarket Snapdragon Care
Watering snapdragons is vital. This flyer is not afraid only of short-term droughts. Water the snapdragon as the soil dries out, as soon as there is not enough moisture due to the weather. But during watering, it is extremely important to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged and damp. For snapdragons, it is better to provide several light waterings than one too heavy watering.
Another feature of the plant is its preference for morning watering. It is better not to water snapdragons at night, because the combination of low temperatures and high humidity can lead to rotting of the bases of the shoots. Water the plant only in the first half of the day, when the temperature begins to rise.
The plant needs loosening and weeding only after very heavy rainfall, watering and early age. In general, in terms of this parameter, caring for the antirrhinum is completely ordinary.
Fertilizing for antirrinum is carried out only before flowering, but it is better if fertilizers are applied not even 2, but 3 times at equal intervals. It is best to use complete mineral fertilizers: this way the bushes will not only flower beautifully, but also be quite lush and attractive, and the greenery will not be damaged.
Snapdragons are beautiful, but only if they get help removing the dying flowers. The plant itself does not shed dry petals, but they not only reduce the abundance of flowering, spoil the decorative appearance of the inflorescences, but also increase the risk of the spread of fungal diseases. It is better not to wait for the flowers to dry completely, but to pick them off immediately after they begin to wilt.
Snapdragon, Antirrhinum major ‘Night and Day’ (Antirrhinum majus). © Select-Seeds Preserving flowering antirrinums for the winter
Snapdragons that continue to bloom do not necessarily have to be thrown away or doomed to death with the arrival of frost. In the fall, before the onset of negative temperatures, you can simply transfer them to pots, trying to minimize the damage to the roots and transfer them to indoor conditions. There, the snapdragon will remain attractive for a long time and delight you with its flowering.
Only antirrinums that are grown in regions with a mild climate can overwinter in open soil (hardened plants can withstand frosts down to -5)
Controlling snapdragon pests and diseases
One of the most big shortcomings Snapdragons are rightfully considered to be extremely susceptible to pests and diseases. Even under ideal conditions, it can present an unexpected unpleasant surprise. The greatest danger to antirrhinum are caterpillars, butterflies, fly larvae and blackleg, almost all fungal diseases of ornamental plants from late blight to rust.
It is almost impossible to deal with the problems; it is better to destroy the plants immediately. But preventing problems is much easier: unthickened planting, normal care and the right choice of soil that does not allow moisture to stagnate guarantee success.
Snapdragon. © Nina Snapdragon propagation methods
Growing snapdragons from seeds
Sowing directly into open soil before winter produces bushes that bloom only in August, so the seedling method is preferable for snapdragons.
Sowing for snapdragons is carried out early, in the first ten days of March. It is better to sow snapdragons in large containers or boxes, shallowly, in a nutrient substrate. Germination can be achieved both under glass and without it, but seeds covered with film or glass germinate faster. On average, seedlings appear after 10 days. Young plants are grown for 2-3 weeks, after which they are planted in separate containers.
After picking, it is better not to water for a week, limiting yourself to spraying only. Snapdragon seedlings are grown in normal conditions, pinching the top to thicken and with restrained watering. Fertilizing is applied a week after picking and again 10 days after the first, using only complete mineral fertilizers. Before transplanting into the garden, seedlings need to be hardened off for at least 1 week. Antirrinum is planted in the soil no earlier than the second ten days of May.
Collecting seeds yourself requires vigilance. The seeds do not ripen at the same time: just as when flowers bloom, the lower seed pods ripen first, and then a wave seems to pass through the inflorescences. It is difficult to collect quality seeds at the top of the inflorescences, so you can simply discard them, using only the seeds from the lower two thirds of the plant.
The collection must be carried out carefully, immediately after the boxes turn yellow, so as not to spill the precious small seeds. After self-collection, snapdragon seeds can be used for 3-4 years.
Snapdragon shoots. © Shenghung Lin Snapdragon cuttings
This method is used very rarely, the plants require keeping the mother bushes indoors for the winter, and the new generation of snapdragons blooms much later and more sparingly. Cuttings root very easily, in plain sand or even water. Cuttings are considered the preferred method of propagation only for terry antirrinums, and even then not for all varieties.
Snapdragon (antirrhinum) is a flower that is perennial, but in our climatic conditions it is grown as an annual flower, that is, only in the warm period of the year. Its variety of varieties is simply amazing. It can be either border, up to 20 centimeters high, or gigantic, up to 1 meter or more. Antirrinum has gained particular popularity among flower growers due to the fact that its planting and further care do not cause any difficulties, because This is really a very unpretentious plant. It is recommended to grow by seedlings and propagate by seeds.
The most popular classification of snapdragon varieties is its division depending on the height of the bush:
By the way! The flowers of snapdragons are simple and double. Double inflorescences look especially good when making bouquets.
How and when is it better to plant snapdragon seeds for seedlings?
Planting time for seedlings
Growing snapdragons through seedlings is explained quite simply: the flower has a fairly long period of development from the moment of the first shoots to the beginning of flowering.
The time and timing of sowing snapdragon seeds for seedlings naturally primarily depends on the climatic conditions of the growing region. So, antirrinum begins to be sown from the end of February to mid-April.
Note! The site already has a detailed article about, including favorable days for planting in 2019 according to the lunar calendar.
Container and soil
Any purchased or homemade containers are suitable for growing snapdragon seedlings. It all depends on how much you are going to grow the plant.
The soil can be purchased ready-made at a garden store or prepared with your own hands at home.
Due to the fact that the size of the seeds of antirrinum is small, they can even be said to be tiny; after preparing the soil mixture, it will need to be sifted, the same applies to purchased land.
To prepare the soil mixture for snapdragon seedlings you will need:
- 1/7 washed sand;
- 2/7 garden land;
- 4/7 peat.
Now the earth needs to be mixed well and then sifted. Next, in order to protect future seedlings from blackleg and excess weed shoots, the soil must be steamed in a double boiler or heated in the oven for 60 minutes.
By the way! Mix an additional 4 tbsp into the soil. spoons of ash and 2 tbsp. spoons of dolomite ash, snapdragon germinates well and grows in slightly alkaline soil.
Video: the intricacies of growing snapdragon seedlings
Direct landing
When sowing snapdragons for seedlings, be guided by the following step by step instructions:
Video: sowing snapdragons for seedlings in February
Caring for antirrinum seedlings after planting
As a rule, seedlings appear on average after 2 weeks, although it may take longer. It all depends on the temperature conditions in which the planting container with antirrinum will be located.
As soon as the seedlings emerge, it is necessary to lower the temperature to 18-20 degrees. Also, to prevent young seedlings from starting to stretch, good lighting is necessary. As always, you can use phytolamps or more economical LED lamps.
At the beginning of their journey, seedlings grow and develop somewhat slowly. Watering should be careful and ventilation should be frequent. 7 days after the emergence of seedlings, the shelter should be completely removed. However, at first it is recommended that direct rays of the sun do not fall on the plant.
Periodic loosening of the soil as one of the elements of growing seedlings will help avoid the appearance of blackleg.
Picking
Upon reaching 2 true leaves in development, it is necessary to pick the snapdragon, which it tolerates quite cheerfully, and then easily takes root.
For replanting, you should use the same composition of soil as for seedlings, but this time it no longer needs to be sifted. There is nothing to worry about if this time there are large fractions in the soil mixture. This will be a kind of hardening for the roots of the young plant.
It is better to choose cloudy weather (in the daytime) or when there is no longer sun, that is, for picking snapdragons. better evening. The fact is that in this case we will give the plant the whole night to strengthen, and by the morning the picked seedlings will already feel normal.
Step-by-step process for picking snapdragons:
Video: picking snapdragon seedlings
Caring for seedlings after picking
Feeding snapdragon seedlings should be done on the 5-7th day after picking. It is best to feed with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium complex fertilizers containing equal parts of elements, such as nitroammophosphate. You can water both at the root and at the leaf, which will have a positive effect on the development of the plant itself and will give more abundant flowering.
Once the plant reaches 4-5 pairs of true leaves, it is necessary to topping, which stimulates the active growth of lateral shoots. When the side shoots reach 3 pairs of true leaves, you will need to pinch the side shoots in a circle. This will trigger the development of additional shoots, which will subsequently lead to even more flowering of the plant. In this way, it will be possible to grow a real round ball with hundreds of beautiful flowers at the same time.
Video: rules for pinching adult snapdragon seedlings
When and how to plant snapdragons in open ground
A couple of weeks before planting in the garden, begin to gradually move the seedlings, first just onto the balcony, and then into the open air. Antirrinum seedlings hardened in this way will easily take root in a new place and will not suffer in the event of return frosts.
As a rule, plant snapdragon seedlings in open ground possible as early as May. This early date is due to the exceptional frost resistance of the plant.
Snapdragon is a light-loving plant, but it also tolerates light partial shade, so choose an appropriate place for planting seedlings. However, it is worth knowing that in partial shade, antirrinum will bloom noticeably more modestly.
As you already understand, antirrinum loves loose and slightly alkaline soils. If the soil is too heavy and clayey, the roots of the plant will not be able to develop normally. Therefore, in order to make such (heavy and clayey) soil more suitable for planting, dolomite flour or wood ash, as well as a little sand, should be added to it.
Plant the seedlings in pre-prepared planting holes along with a lump of earth. The planting pattern is different for each variety. For example, it is optimal to plant dwarf and short varieties at a distance of about 20 centimeters, medium-sized ones - 25-30 centimeters, and tall ones - 45 centimeters.
As soon as you plant, you can water it generously and, if desired, mulch with peat.
Video: planting snapdragons in open ground
Caring for antirrinum in open ground
Further care for antirrinum consists of regular watering, rare fertilizing, weeding and regular loosening of the soil.
It is recommended to feed snapdragons, as during growing seedlings, with a complex mineral fertilizer, such as nitroammophosphate (it is also possible to use ammophosphate and nitrophoska).
Snapdragon is very demanding of moisture, but in case of excessive drought, it quickly recovers after abundant watering. However, if you forget about regular watering, the plant will not open well and the blooming flowers may fall off. Therefore, we highly recommend that you do not allow it to dry out. Optimal time watering is morning.
It is advisable to water the snapdragon directly at the root. If you do this superficially, the flowers will fill with water and gradually droop. Some may even fall, you hardly want to allow this. 
Antirrhinum blooms in waves, that is, periods lush flowering are replaced by some fading when all the flowers have faded. Don't worry, this means the next wave of blooms is on the way. Such waves can continue until frost, in other words, until late autumn.
Thus, if you use approximately the same scheme for sowing seedlings and the recommended agricultural technology for growing snapdragons, then it will bloom all summer and delight you with its lush and abundant flowering until the end of autumn.
Video: how to sow snapdragons and properly care for them
In contact with
The beautifully flowering snapdragon, which decorates flower beds for a long period of time, owes its name to large, irregularly shaped flowers that resemble a lion's mouth. If you believe the legend, the appearance of a flowering plant is associated with the victory of Hercules over the Nemean lion, after which the goddess Flora presented the winner with a beautiful antirrhinum.
Antirrhinum from the Plantain family is represented by semi-shrub plants with branched, erect stems, the height of which varies from 15 to 100 cm. Elliptical or lanceolate leaf plates, alternate on top and oppositely located in the lower part of the plant, are colored green. During the period of prolonged flowering, lasting from the beginning of summer until the first frost, spike-shaped inflorescences are observed, consisting of large, two-lipped flowers that exude a pleasant aroma. The color can be either monochromatic or include up to three colors.
In the natural growing environment there are approximately 50 varieties of antirrinum. However, in front gardens, varieties and hybrids are cultivated based on a single species known as Antirrhinum major.
Many varieties are divided into 5 classes according to the classification based on the height of the subshrubs:
- Gigantic - representatives of the class, the height of which can vary between 90-130 cm, are distinguished by the significant excess of the central stem over the shoots of the second tier. Common forms: cherry Arthur, scarlet and raspberry XL hybrids.
- Tall - the class includes varieties with a stem length from 60 to 90 cm. Among the most decorative are the pinkish Anna German, the yellow Canary, and the terry form of Madame Butterfly.
- Medium-sized - the distinctive characteristics of subshrubs are height from 40 to 60 cm and a slight excess of the main stem over the side shoots. Popular: yellow Golden, Monarch, pink and white Lipstick Silver.
- Low-growing - subshrubs not exceeding 40 cm, distinguished by the abundant formation of flowers on the shoots of the second and third tiers. Interesting forms: Hobbit, snapdragon ampelous Lampion.
- Dwarf - lush bushes for decorating borders, alpine hills with a height of 15 to 25 cm. Varieties with abundant flowering: pinkish Sakura Color, ampelous Candy Showers.
Snapdragon, perennial or annual?
Despite the fact that antirrinum is a perennial crop, in temperate latitudes the flower from warm climate zones is cultivated as an annual. The exception is cold-resistant forms that can winter safely in open ground.
Growing from seeds
Antirrinum can be grown using seedless and seedling methods. The latter technique is more common due to its productivity and the ability to grow plants even in regions with a rather harsh climate.
Sowing of seedlings is carried out in early spring as follows:
- Prepare a container for seedlings with drainage holes.
- The container is filled with fertile substrate with a 10 cm layer of sand and compost in equal parts.
- Seed material is distributed over the moistened soil mixture and crushed with sand.
- The crops are covered with glass, which is removed after the sprouts hatch.
- The crops are regularly moistened with a spray bottle.
- After the formation of 1 pair of true leaves, the seedlings are dropped into individual cups for convenience.
- When 3 pairs of leaves are formed, the shoot is pinched to stimulate branching.
Planting in open ground
Strong and well-hardened seedlings should be planted in open ground in the third decade of May in well-lit or slightly shaded areas, protected from the winds.
The soil must be fertile, drained and slightly acidic. If necessary, sand, peat and compost are added for digging, which will ensure the above indicators. In the prepared area, small holes are dug with a distance of 15-40 cm, which depends on the height of the selected variety. The dimensions of the planting holes must correspond to the parameters of the seedling's earthen ball. After planting, the beds are compacted and watered.
How to care for antirrhinum
Proper planting of snapdragons is not the only component of successfully growing a profusely flowering plant.
- It is also necessary to organize appropriate flower care:
- Watering - an unpretentious flower is drought-resistant and, after rooting, needs to be moistened only in the absence of natural precipitation for a long time.
- Loosening - after watering or precipitation, the tree trunk circle is loosened to ensure the necessary soil structure.
- Feeding - when the seedlings take root, nitroammofoska and organic matter are applied under the bushes. During the budding phase, to ensure lush and long flowering, antirrinum must be fed with phosphorus and potassium.
- Pruning – to make the flowering phase last longer, it is recommended to promptly cut off dried flowers, which consume the plant’s energy. Also, regular pruning of flower stalks with immature seed pods will prevent self-seeding, which is characteristic of this crop. Preparation for winter - if the subshrub is cultivated as a perennial, then aboveground part
cut to a height of 5-8 cm, after which the beds are mulched with peat, sawdust or dry leaves. In the case when the flower grows as an annual crop, before the onset of cold weather, all plant debris is removed and the area is dug up, which will destroy the pest larvae overwintering in the soil.
Snapdragon flowers are quite resistant to damage by harmful organisms. However, with poor care, diseases such as rust, blackleg and various rots may develop. At the first manifestations, it is recommended to treat the plantings with a fungicide. In case of intensive development, it is recommended to remove pathogen-infected specimens and spray the soil where they grew with a fungicidal solution. Among the pests, scale insects and various caterpillars that feed on crop shoots pose a threat. Insecticides will help to cope with harmful insects, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions indicated on the packaging.
When and how to collect snapdragon seeds
It is necessary to begin collecting antirrinum seed material after the seed pods on the lower part of the peduncle have ripened as follows:
- The upper part of the arrow, on which the seeds are still green, is removed.
- A baguette bag is placed on the remaining peduncle and tied below the boxes.
- The flower arrow is cut off.
- The package with the peduncle is hung upside down from the ceiling.
- When the seeds ripen and fall into the bag, they are poured into cardboard boxes or glass containers and stored in a cool, dry place.
- Storage without loss of germination of seed material is carried out for 3 years.
So, snapdragon is a beautiful subshrub, characterized by abundant flowering, which when proper care will plant flower beds and balcony pots until the first snow.
- perennial herbaceous plant with large green stems of the Plantain family, we grow it as an annual. The plant produces many stems. The stems of snapdragons are straight, branched, of varying heights: there are low-growing varieties, only about 20 cm, and there are tall varieties, up to one meter high, forming pyramidal bushes during the growing season. The leaves of snapdragon are elongated, lanceolate or slightly oval green in color, pubescent with thin hairs.
Snapdragon flowers large, irregularly shaped, two-lipped, reminiscent of a gaping lion's mouth, pubescent on the outside. There are varieties with simple and double flowers. The flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. Coloring of snapdragon flowers will be able to please you widely color scheme: They come in white, pink, yellow and bi-color. In the wild, there are snapdragon species with yellow, blue, and purple flowers.
The plant's birthplace is considered North America. In Russia, snapdragon has long been popular and is very common garden plant decorating flower beds and flower beds. Snapdragon is a wonderful sunny annual that will fill your garden with a pleasant fragrant aroma and attract not only bees, but also butterflies.
Growing snapdragons from seeds
Sowing snapdragon seeds for seedlings can be done from the end of February, in March, to the beginning of April. Snapdragon Seeds When sowing, lightly sprinkle with soil. The first shoots begin to appear after ten days, but germination of snapdragon seeds can take a whole month. For better germination, cover the container with snapdragon seeds with glass or a plastic bag. As soon as the shoots begin to appear, the film or glass must be removed. For better germination, keep the container with snapdragon seeds at an air temperature not lower than +18 o C. Snapdragon seeds can be sown directly in open ground in May, covering the bed with film or agrospan.
During the first time after snapdragon germination, monitor the soil moisture: overdrying, as well as severe waterlogging of the soil, can lead to the death of seedlings. Transplanting snapdragon seedlings do not delay for too long: it must be carried out at the stage of the first two or three true leaves. When snapdragon seedlings grow to 4-6 pairs of true leaves, the tops of the plants need to be pinched to form additional stems.
Caring for snapdragons in open ground
In open ground snapdragon seedlings planted already partially blooming in late May - early June, when the threat of frost has passed, leaving 30 cm between plants. Snapdragon grows best in open sunny places. If you have absolutely no open sunny places left, snapdragons can be planted in partial shade. Only the flowering will be delayed a little, it will not be too abundant, the color of the flowers will be more delicate, and not as bright as in the open sun.
Soil for snapdragons should be well fertilized. If you have clay soil on your site, add more organic matter, peat, peat, sand to it in order to make the soil looser and eliminate stagnation of excess moisture. If your site has sandy loam soil, add black soil, rotted organic matter, leaf soil, try to improve the structure of the soil so that it can retain water and remain moist longer.
Don't forget to water the snapdragons. Do not water the next time until the top layer of soil has dried out. To conserve precious moisture, mulch your snapdragon plantings with a layer freshly cut grass, humus, rotted sawdust. With severe waterlogging, snapdragons are susceptible to various rots, including root rots.
First feeding snapdragons after transplanting into open ground - no earlier than two to three weeks, so as not to burn the roots of the plant damaged by transplantation. When the plant fully adapts to the open air, new leaves begin to grow, then the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers can be carried out. It is desirable that fertilizers have a full NPK formula; additional microelements are welcome. The plant especially needs feeding during the flowering period. And a strong, healthy plant can resist diseases and pest attacks.
When grown from seedlings, snapdragons bloom as early as June and continue to bloom until frost. Try to remove faded inflorescences in a timely manner. This procedure greatly extends the flowering period of all plants.
Healing properties of snapdragon
In addition to the fact that snapdragon is very decorative, its flowers can be used in folk medicine. An infusion of snapdragon flowers is drunk for intestinal bloating; it can be used as an additional remedy for certain liver diseases. A mixture of snapdragon, immortelle and corn silk during the recovery period after hepatitis. Infusions and decoctions of snapdragon flowers are used for severe headaches, dropsy and shortness of breath. When used externally, infusions and decoctions of snapdragons help with hemorrhoids, open ulcers on the skin, and boils.
Snapdragon will not only decorate your flower beds and flower beds. It can be used for growing on balconies, terraces, and decorating windows from the outside. Snapdragon flowers make excellent cut flowers.
P.S. Are you renovating your home? Then you just need sealing tape. Sealing tapes with different coatings can be used to waterproof seams and various joints. Having increased elasticity, sealing tapes prevent leaks and cracks of both internal and external surfaces with different slopes. Bituminous waterproofing tape is widely used for sealing window joints; its aluminum layer gives the joint durability and excellent waterproofing. More detailed information can be found on the website of the Illbruck-Nullifire company, which cares not only about waterproofing, but also about the fire protection of the structures of your home.
Images copyright flickr.com: Pterosaur Whisperer, cstgpa, chendri887, Alexandre Hirata, kaiyanwong223, siouxbarrett68, GPN and LGR, Chrisser, Maria*_*, teabag344, Nasaw views, canong2fan, phoebedslr - Back & trying to catch up!! , tanplal, shotlandka, Spidra Webster, Geraldine Curtis, Winterspeak, Boneo, Julaquinte, casillero, Hellebardius, Rainer Fritz, Eric Hunt., secondstar2theright, seaskycoo, Yuzuha, Cheryl Moorehead, Chrissie2003, gerstat, Anna Sunny Day, damien jay, nobuflickr, ranahki, roseyhadlow, klikk1
You should not grow snapdragons in one stem.The snapdragon flower has a number of undeniable advantages. First of all, it is unpretentiousness and bright, long-lasting flowering from mid-summer to late autumn. You can grow snapdragons not only in flower beds and hills, but also on loggias in pots and hanging baskets.
Snapdragon flower (Antirrinum) is a perennial plant, but it blooms and produces seeds in the first year. That is why it is mainly grown as an annual. This flower can form a powerful bush with a well-developed root system. Such bushes are able to winter safely even in the middle zone.
Thanks to the work of breeders, flower growers can grow hundreds of varieties of Antirrinum. There are dwarf varieties (15 - 20 cm), medium-sized (40 - 50 cm) and tall (90 - 100 cm). In addition, ampelous forms of snapdragons with drooping shoots have recently appeared; the length of such shoots reaches 1 meter.
Growing snapdragons from seeds
When to sow.
When growing snapdragons through seedlings, sow the seeds in early March.
Substrate for seed germination.
Snapdragon does not like to grow in peaty soils. To germinate seeds, it is better to use soil from a compost heap and river sand in a one-to-one ratio.
How to sow Antirrinum seeds.
It is convenient to grow snapdragons from seeds in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. You can sow the seeds directly into cups, with several seeds in one cup. If 3-4 seeds germinate, then there is no need to thin them out; let them continue to grow in one bush.
Before sowing, the container or cup is filled with soil, the soil is leveled and abundantly moistened. Snapdragon seeds are very small; for convenience, snow is poured on top of the substrate and the seeds are sown in the snow, then they are clearly visible. You just need to take into account that snow melts indoors quickly. You can mix the seeds with sand, this also greatly simplifies the sowing process.
Caring for snapdragon seedlings.
After the snapdragon seeds are sown, they are sprinkled with a thin layer of soil, moistened again with dewdrops and covered with a lid or film. To germinate, the seeds will need high humidity and a temperature of 23 - 25 degrees. Monitor soil moisture; when the substrate dries out, it must be moistened periodically.
Young snapdragon seedlings
With proper care, the seeds will germinate in 10 - 15 days. After young sprouts appear, the container with the seedlings is transferred to a well-lit place. Otherwise, if there is insufficient lighting, the seedlings will quickly stretch out. The film can be removed a few days after seed germination.
Young plants grow slowly at first, this should not alarm you. At this time, Antirrinum seedlings should be watered very sparingly. If signs of blackleg appear, remove all affected seedlings immediately and sprinkle the soil with ash or crushed activated carbon.
As you have probably already noticed, there is nothing unusual in growing snapdragons from seeds; all other flowers are grown from seeds in much the same way.
Picking seedlings.
When the seedlings have a second pair of true leaves, you can start picking the seedlings. Antirrinum already grows a powerful root system during the seedling period, so plants need to be planted in large 0.5 liter cups.
Antirrinum seedlings after picking.
If the seedlings grew densely, then sometimes the roots of neighboring plants grow together. In such cases, do not try to separate them, just plant several pieces in cups.
Snapdragon easily tolerates picking and is quickly accepted in a new place. But until the seedlings begin to grow, they must be kept in the shade and taken out into the sun a few days after transplantation.
Pinching seedlings.
You should not grow snapdragons in one stem. The plant looks much more attractive when it grows as a bush. To do this, the shoot of Antirrinum is pinched above the fifth leaf. If side shoots begin to grow quickly, it is better to pinch them too. As a result, a powerful, beautiful snapdragon bush grows.
Growing snapdragon from seeds in open ground
You can also grow snapdragons from seeds in open ground. You just need to say right away that these flowers will bloom only at the end of July or early August, but they will bloom until frost.
Antirrinum grown from seeds.
It is customary to sow snapdragons in the ground using so-called steeples. The steeps are formed approximately 40 by 40 cm in size. In one steep, 4 - 5 Antirrinum bushes are grown, but much more seeds need to be sown there. Excess shoots can later be pulled back.
Seeds are sown in the ground at the end of April, beginning of May. Since spring frosts can destroy the seedlings, the twists are covered with some kind of covering material.
Growing and caring for Antirrinum
Flower growers rarely plant snapdragons in the foreground, considering this flower to be not spectacular enough. But this happens because few people know how to properly grow snapdragons. Most often, snapdragons are grown in one stem, and varieties are selected with a height of 30 - 40 cm.
Antirrinum should be grown in bushes. To do this, you just need to cut off the top of the plant. You can cut off the upper part of the shoot in seedlings, adults, and even flowering plants. After some time, the snapdragon will grow not one, but as many as 8 - 12 shoots.
When growing tall varieties, the height of which reaches one meter, the result is a huge flowering bush. Fading shoots should also be removed, and then new, young shoots will grow again in their place.
Snapdragon can grow in full sun, partial shade and in almost any soil. It is grown in mixborders, ridges and individual circles. Ampelous hybrids are good for planting in hanging baskets. 
Wintering snapdragons in open ground
Antirrinum is a perennial plant that can overwinter in conditions middle zone. It is prepared for winter in the same way as most perennial flowers. In autumn, all shoots are cut off, and the roots are covered with leaves, grass, and peat. After a successful winter, many shoots grow from the roots, which can be dug up and used to decorate the area.
Snapdragon diseases
In cold rainy weather, red spots may appear on the leaves of Antirrinum. If this happens, treat the flowers with Zircon (5 drops per 1 liter of water). The same drug can be used to treat plants for prevention, only in smaller doses (2 drops per 1 liter of water).
For preventive purposes, snapdragons are sprayed when planting seedlings in the ground and before flowering begins. It is better to immediately remove severely affected plants from the garden bed.
How to collect snapdragon seeds
In order for the snapdragon to form full-fledged seeds, which will give birth to highly decorative bushes in the next season, the most beautiful plants are selected from among the plants in the summer. Their inflorescences are shortened by one third, thereby allowing seed pods to form in place of the largest flowers.
And the largest flowers, as you noticed, bloom in the lower part of the inflorescences. Without waiting for the seed pods to turn yellow and open, cut off the inflorescences and ripen them indoors.