Antirrhinum majus
snapdragon
A short-lived herbaceous perennial, often woody at the base, with upright or scrambling stems up to 2m high or long, with lance-shaped green leaves up to 7cm long, and racemes of fragrant pink or purple flowers, up to 5cm across, from late spring to autumn
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Antirrhinum can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs, with simple leaves and tubular, 2-lipped flowers which may be solitary or in terminal racemes, in summer and autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SW Europe, Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a sunny position in well-drained soil
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 16-18°C in late summer or early autumn, and overwinter young plants under glass, or by seed in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
- Cut flowers
Pruning
No pruning required, but deadheading will prolong the flowering period
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to antirrhinum rust, and powdery mildews; may also be affected by damping off, downy mildews, Fusarium wilt, leaf spots, sclerotinia diseases, shothole, Verticillium wilt, and other wilts
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