From the garden ELLEN PEFFLEY
Cheer up drab gardens with a splash of color by planting cool season annuals like alyssum, pansies, dianthus, Johnny Jump-ups, or snapdragons. The instant color of spring blossoms is a release from the winter doldrums.
Snapdragons are a favorite because individual florets of their multi-colored blossoms can be opened and shut. With a little pressure, and positioning fingers at just the right spot on a snapdragon flower’s throat, a “dragon’s” mouth hinges open. Letting go of the throat snaps the dragon’s mouth shut. Entertaining.
The scientific name of snapdragon describes its floral morphology: Antirrhinum majus (an-tee-REE-num MAYjus), Antirrhinum, from the Greek anti, meaning like, and rhis, a snout; majus means larger. The common name “snapdragon” comes from the reaction of the floret having its throat pinched, causing the “mouth” of the floret to snap open like a dragon’s mouth.
Snapdragons make great bedding plants, bridging cooler March temperatures to the warmer month of May. Blossoms have showy, multiple, two-lipped, bilaterally symmetrical florets borne on upright clusters; individual florets are attached along a central spike. Blossoms are long-lasting. The first florets to open are on the bottom of the spike and florets open progressively toward the top as the blossom ages. Blossoms can be soft pastels or vibrant whites, yellows, oranges, reds, or purples that brighten mixed borders in the garden. They are effective in mass plantings and on the patio in containers.
Snapdragon flowers have a place in pollinator gardens as they attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. The bottom petal of a floret serves as a landing platform. When nectar-foraging bees or bumblebees land on the bottom lip of a floret, the “jaw” snaps in on the bee, triggering the transfer of pollen to the stigma.
Snapdragons can be grown from seed but are usually placed in the garden as transplants. They need well-draining soil that is heavily amended with organic matter. Snapdragons bloom best in full sun but can flower in partial shade. Removing spent flowers as they senesce extends the bloom time. However, plants will self-seed if allowed to set seed. Seedlings emerge the following spring.
Having a snapdragon around is a must for gardeners with young children or grandchildren. They can touch the flowers, smell them, and then animate them with just a little squeeze to introduce them to the wonderful world of flowers.
Some information from newphytologist.org
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
