Antirrhinum (Snapdragons)

You can sow antirrhinum (Snapdragon) seed under cover either in spring or autumn, from February to April or in September and October. Or direct sow the seeds outside from April to July. Sprinkle snapdragon seeds on the surface of good quality seed compost the soil. The seeds are tiny, so don’t cover them as they need light to germinate. It is recommended you moisten the compost or soil before sowing the seeds and once sown keep the compost moist but not wet using a mister to avoid washing the seeds through the compost. Once sown, place indoor seeds under a propagator cover or in clear plastic bag until they have germinated. Prick out seedlings when they are large enought to handly into modules or 9cm pots and grow them on until they are sturdy plants. They can be planted out into well prepared beds once the danger of frost has passed. Plant out Autumn sown seedlings in a very spot in warmer areas or put in a cold frame to overwinter and give you flowers as early as the following May.

If growing Snapdragons in pots, use as large a container as possible, place the container in a sunny sheltered position where they will not be damaged by the wind. As many varieties of Snapdragon are particularly tall plants, they will need staking.

TOP TIP

 To encourage the plant to bush out some gardeners will pinch it as a seedling, however cutting them for flower arrangements will have the same effect. Keep picking flower stems (not to the ground but to above a pair of leaves), and they will keep flowering for months at a time. 

Often you can leave snaps in the ground over winter and they'll act as a short lived perennial, coming back into flower in years 2 and 3.