Snapdragons are really half-hardy perennials normally sold as annuals. They do best in full sun but will flower reasonably well in partial shade. Plant in any well drained soil. The common name (Antirrhinum is their Latin genus) comes from flowers that supposedly resemble a dragon’s face, with jaws that open and close when the sides of the flower are squeezed.

Locally you can find a few different snapdragon varieties as plants. But many more choices are available if you grow them yourself from seeds. For example, some seed catalogs list as many as 20 different snapdragon varieties and mixtures. This year I’m growing two tall varieties for cut flowers (‘Rocket Yellow’ and ‘Potomac Yellow’), and a shorter variety (‘Candy Top Yellow’) for larger containers.

Starting snaps from seeds is easy. Two days before sowing put the seed packet in the freezer to fool the seeds into believing that they’ve been through a winter outdoors.

Snapdragon seeds are tiny, so be careful when handling them or they’ll end up all over the place. Sow on the surface of a peat-based seed starting mix, pressing the seeds into the medium. Do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate. Cover the seed flat with clear plastic.

Transplant to individual pots after true leaves appear. For intermediate or tall varieties pinch the growing tips when they are a few inches tall to encourage branching; this will result in more flowers per plant.

If you sow seeds on March first the plants should be ready to go into the garden in early May, after hardening off. The first blooms will appear early in June and last until heavy frost. Deadheading spent flowers isn’t normally necessary except for appearance, and to prevent volunteers from sprouting the following year.

If you sow a packet of mixed colors each color will probably germinate at a slightly different rate. To get a good mix of colors, transplant different seedling sizes.

Do you have a home gardening question? E-mail HaywoodEMGV@gmail.com or call 828-456-3575 with a description of the issue. A Haywood County Master Gardener Volunteer will get back to you within a few days with research-based information.

Jim Janke is a Master Gardener Volunteer in Haywood County. ©2023 NC State University.