Snapdragons -- Charming, Old-Fashioned Bloomers

Snapdragons are old-fashioned flowers, and they're just as charming as ever. Unfortunately, these versatile bloomers often gets passed by and I’m not sure why. Snapdragons have plenty to offer and because they come in three sizes – dwarf, medium and large – they are at home nearly anyplace in the garden.

Snapdragons like cool weather best, and they put on a show in spring when marigolds and petunias have barely started. Although they produce spiky blooms all season, flowering slows down a bit when the weather gets hot, then peps up again in autumn. The plants bloom more if you keep them deadheaded, but if you leave a few blooms on the plants in autumn, they nearly always reseed themselves for a return performance in spring.

Growers are coming up with vibrant new colors every year. The variety is almost endless and includes numerous shades and variations of pink, yellow, white, lavender, salmon, purple, bronze, red, red-violet, and orange, as well as mixed color and bi-color varieties.

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