Snapdragons

Snapdragons are a lovely bloom providing gardeners with an instant source of variety for their flowerbeds.  Snapdragons come in a number of colors including pink, yellow, white and rich, deep reds.  Further, like irises, many snapdragons can grow quite tall and are therefore ideal for flowerbeds and fresh cut floral arrangements.

Snapdragons vary in size and can grow anywhere between a couple inches and five feet in height!  A gardener must bear in mind however, that taller varieties will require later staking to maintain the gorgeous stature.  Further, taller varieties of the snapdragon are more suitable for the back edge of a flowerbed, as their height, if placed in the front rows of the garden, would overcome other flowers.

Snapdragons are fairly easy to plant and can be started both indoors and outdoors.  When planting indoors or outdoors, a gardener needs to bear in mind that snapdragons require plenty of sunlight, especially during their youth; thus, when inserting either seeds or starter plants in any soil, they need to be planted very close to the surface with just enough soil to cover the seed or roots.  Finally, in terms of soil, a well fertilized, damp soil is required to adequately cultivate snapdragons.

When seeds are sown, they should be planted, at a minimum of 12 inches apart to provide them with ample room to grow. Further, sown seeds can take up to 14 days to germinate. Snapdragons should be planted either indoors during the late months of winter or outdoors in the early spring, as this particular bloom has a tendency to thrive and blossom in August.

When planting outdoors, snapdragons will do well in shaded areas, but fare better in areas that provide sunshine.  Also, snapdragons require frequent watering as their tender roots depend on continually damp soil.  When watering the snapdragon, a gardener must make sure that they water the plant at the base of its stem, and not from the top of the bloom: snapdragons are prone to the flower disease referred to as rusting and to avoid it gardeners must follow specific watering procedures.  Thus, when planting the snapdragon, a gardener must make certain they can access the base of the plant with ease.

Snapdragons have the propensity to reseed themselves, if they are provided with the adequate room they require to grow.  Unfortunately, along with the possibility of rusting, snapdragons are especially attractive to pests, particularly suckers.  Thus, a gardener will be required to frequently check the plant for any visible suckers and remove them in order to maintain the plants overall health.

As far as safety measures are concerned in the handling of snapdragons, a gardener should be advised that certain parts of snapdragons are toxic.  For example, the seeds prove poisonous if eaten as well as any and all parts of the plant.  Thus, when planting snapdragons, a gardener will want to ensure that they keep all seeds away from pets and children.  Likewise, a gardener will not want to plant the snapdragon in an area that is easily accessible to children or animals.

Finally, snapdragon seeds can be purchased from online garden centers and the fresh cut variety can be purchased from online florists.  When purchasing the fresh cut variety, again the individual making the purchase should bear in mind the blooms propensity for toxicity; if the flowers are to be displayed indoors, they should be kept out the reach of children and domestic pets.