This year the National Garden Bureau is featuring summer snapdragon, Angelonia spp., as their annual plant of the year. The genus Angelonia encompasses about 30 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions from Mexico to Argentina. In the wild, they are often found in damp areas but once established, they can be quite drought tolerant.
Description
Most summer snapdragon cultivars have an upright growth form, providing a great vertical accent in containers, but there are some cascading or trailing varieties which can be grown in hanging baskets. Angelonia stems are strong, too; not requiring any staking. Plants range in height from 18-inches to 3 feet, depending on the cultivar chosen, and have a somewhat busy habit with simple medium green leaves.
Plants are covered with flowers, blooming from spring until they are killed by frost. Flower spikes consist of many small open faced, orchid-like flowers ranging in color from white to pink, dark red, blue, purple or bicolor. Each flower is about 1-inch wide. Deadheading is not required, as new stems are continually produced to cover any spent flower stems.
Popular Named Series
Serena – A durable series and a perfect choice for gardeners looking for water-wise, heat-loving plants. It is available in four colors: White, Rose, Blue and Purple. Height 16 to 20 inches.
Archangel – This series thrives in extreme heat and humidity with extra-large size blooms on well-branched plants that resist breakage and tangling. There are 10 colors in this series, including a new Ruby Sangria with dark-red hues. Height 12 to 14 inches.
AngelDance -A taller and more vigorous series with flexible stems that dance in the wind, creating an attractive cottage garden look. Very reminiscent of a foxglove or larkspur flower. Blooms are bicolored in Fuchsia and Violet. Height 14 to 18 inches.
Angelface – Is available in three types: Standard, Super, and Cascade. The difference between them is the shape of the plant or its habit. Like all Angelonia, they bloom all season without removing the spent blossoms. Height 18 to 30 inches.
Angel Mist – Has a low-growing, spreading habit that makes it great for groundcover in garden beds, or spilling out of hanging baskets or patio containers. Five colors are available, including a bicolor of pink-and-purple named Berry Sparkler. Height 4 to 10 inches.
For more on popular summer snapdragon series, visit Ngb.org/year-of-the-angelonia.
Care
Seed requires light for germination, so don’t plant them too deeply. When growing transplants from seed, allow 13-15 weeks from seeding to the completed transplant stage.
Given that their native range is tropical or subtropical, plants do best in warm soil – so don’t plant too early. Plants will grow very slowly in cool soil.
With its tolerance to heat and dry conditions, Angelonia thrives in most summer gardens with little extra maintenance or care. Ideally, locate plants in full sun with good, well-drained garden soil and provide good irrigation until plants are well-established.
Plants look beautiful massed together in garden beds or borders, and are excellent in containers. Flower stems can also be harvested as cut flowers.
The National Garden Bureau recognizes and thanks the experts at PanAmerican Seed, an NGB member, as the author and contributor to this fact sheet, which is provided as an educational service with no limitations on its use.