Snapdragons are a beloved addition to any cutting garden, with their vibrant and dragon-like blooms in a variety of bold colors. These upright stems produce tens of blooms during the summer months, adding a pop of color and whimsy to any garden space. If you want to keep your snapdragons flowering for as long as possible, one essential task to remember is deadheading. Most common garden snapdragon varieties belong to the Antirrhinum majus species and are native to the Mediterranean region.
Last summer, while working as a gardener in Italy, I had the pleasure of growing several snapdragon varieties, but one that stood out was the peach variety, Antirrhinum majus ‚Costa Apricot‘. This romantic salmon-peach variety is perfect for cut-and-come-again flowers, but proper deadheading is key to ensuring a prolonged flower show in your yard. Here, we will delve into the details of successfully deadheading snapdragons to keep them blooming beautifully.
When considering how to grow snapdragons, it’s important to treat them as flowering annuals in cooler regions like US hardiness zone 5, or as short-lived perennials in warmer regions such as US hardiness zone 9 and above. Regardless of where you are located, deadheading can significantly extend the flowering period of your snapdragons.
Snapdragon plants can bloom from spring until fall, starting as early as April and May and continuing through September and October, depending on when you sowed seeds or planted them and the local climate in your area. Deadheading is a crucial task during the spring and summer months, as fading blooms should be removed promptly to encourage new flower growth.
Deadheading snapdragons is a continuous job that can be done little and often. Spending a few minutes each evening removing faded blooms can make a big difference in prolonging the flower show in your garden. Using clean, sharp pruning snips is essential for deadheading snapdragons, as it helps prevent the plant from using energy on seed production and encourages the growth of new blooms.
One common mistake when deadheading snapdragons is cutting the flower stem in the wrong place. It’s important to cut down to a leaf node or remove the stems entirely, snipping right down to the base to encourage basal shoots and ensure bushy, healthy plants. Regular deadheading will help your snapdragons produce flowers late into the season, with some plants even blooming into October or November during mild years.
Any flowers or stems that are removed during deadheading can be composted, making it an eco-friendly gardening practice. By spending a little time deadheading faded flowers, you can extend the beauty of your snapdragons and enjoy a colorful display in your yard for longer. For more flower inspiration, consider exploring cottage garden plants for a mix of flowering perennials and annuals to enhance your garden space.