The scientific name for snapdragons is Anthirrinum and the most widespread species in the world is the majus, which is normally found even while walking on the green. It is a perennial plant that grows spontaneously especially in the Mediterranean area. For years, botanists have been studying and producing new, more compact hybrids, not exceeding 150 centimeters in height. To make this plant also an excellent border variety and resource for flower cutting. This species is very resistant to cold, it produces a bush with dark leaves from which straight panicles open upwards: it is precisely on these panicles that large flowers later sprout, starting from their base. This flower has a shape that is very reminiscent of an open animal’s mouth, hence its common name.
Growing snapdragons is really simple, it is a plant suitable even for non-expert gardeners. This species tolerates the cold of winter very well and. Although the plant dries, another will emerge in summer thanks to self-insemination. Dragons need to grow in a sunny location, where they can get a few hours of direct sunlight every day. It is precisely the sunlight that guarantees a lush, lively, and long-lasting flowering throughout the summer. Snapdragons want rich, deep, well-drained soil. The location must also ensure good ventilation of the plant, otherwise, it could rot. The same could happen if we let the water stagnate, so we must be very careful when watering.
How to cure them
The snapdragon plant must be fertilized every month with a specific product for flowering plants, a compound rich in potassium and phosphorus; in autumn, when the plant has to strengthen the stems and roots, it is necessary to administer fertilizers poor in nitrogen. So that the plant withstands the cold well. From April until the beginning of the cold season, snapdragons need to be watered regularly, but only when the soil is dry. The flowers may appear wilted after a dry spell. But as soon as you give them water again, they will grow back to normal. Sandwiches can also be grown well in pots or as a border plant to grow at the foot of tall trees or plants, or in garden beds for ornamental purposes.
In nurseries, we can find different varieties of snapdragon, from the smallest annuals to large flower specimens. Through medium-sized species that reach a maximum of 35 centimeters in height. The multiplication of these plants occurs naturally: when the flowers wither, a semi-woody green capsule appears in their place. When it dries, this capsule breaks, dropping small seeds from which new seedlings can grow. To store the seeds for the following year, you can harvest the pods before they drop and reserve them for sowing in February. It is precise during this month that the snapdragon is sown, either in a pot or directly at home. But in the latter case, it is better to wait for April-May. It often happens that plants that are born from seeds do not flower immediately.