Snap Dragon

Snap Dragons

  • Scientific name: Antirrhinum Majus
  • Common Names: Snapdragon, Dog's mouth, Lion's mouth, Toad's mouth

    Snapdragons are very popular short-lived garden perennials that are usually grown as annuals.  The common name derives from the shape of the individual flower heads, which resemble the snout of a dragon, and which even open and close in a snapping motion.
    Breeders have been playing with snapdragons for years, and now there are even trailing and creeping varieties available. These are great filler plants for containers, baskets, or for planting in garden wall crevices.

Meaning of Snap Dragons

    The botanical name, Antirrhinum majus, means "like a snout" and refers to the flower's resemblance to a calf or dragon's nose. Snapdragons rely largely on large bumblebees for pollination.
    Snapdragons get their name from their snapping flowers and dragon mouth shape. These attributes also give us a clue into the mythology and meaning of snapdragons.
    3 true meanings:
  1. Strength
  2. Deviousness
  3. Grace

Symbolic meanings of snap dragon: True Love, Emotions, Lust, Forgiveness

Meaning of Snap Dragons By Color

Varieties of Snapdragon

    Snapdragons are usually sold as multi-color blends, but you can sometimes find individual colors in both seeds and seedlings. Named varieties come and go every few years, but some of the more classic series include:
  • Rocket
  • Madame Butterfly
  • Bright Butterfly
  • Tutti Frutti
  • Candy Tops
  • Chandelier
  • Sonnet
  • Black Prince
  • Tahiti
  • La Bella
  • Lucky Lips
  • Liberty
...

Grow and Care

    Snapdragons are rather slow-growing when planted from seeds, so they are normally planted from purchased nursery seedlings.
  • Planting; The plant does best in rich, well-draining soil in a sunny location, though they will tolerate part shade. It can repeat bloom throughout the season but they do best in the cool of spring and fall. Snapdragons like a neutral soil pH between 6.2 and 7.0, rich in nutrients and well-draining.
  • Watering; This plant needs enough water to grow. Keep seedlings moist for the first few weeks. When establishing is done, it needs 2.5 cm of water per week and before watering again let the soil dry on top.
  • Fertilization; Apply fertilizer when the plants first start producing flowers. Water well to minimize the risk of nitrogen burns and to help the fertilizer reach the roots.