Antirrhinum majus. Snapdragon Rainbow Mix seeds are a beautiful, traditional garden favourite that have been selected for their colour richness: from the palest to the deepest pinks, coral, blood-red, and yellow. Expect some bi-coloured flowers as well. The 60cm (24") tall stems make superb, long lasting cut flowers, and bring an intense burst of colour into flower arrangements. The stems of this old fashioned mix are sturdy, with very upright growth and uniform flowering. Grow snapdragons in moderately fertile soil and keep them watered, especially in long periods of hot weather. Choose large, deep containers for Snapdragon Rainbow Mix, with good drainage.

Annual

Difficulty Easy

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Timing

Start snapdragons indoors, 8-10 weeks before planting out. Transplant out after last frost. Direct sowing is less reliable. Provide bright light and a soil temperature of 12°C (55°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-21 days.

Starting

Sow on the surface of a sterilized seed starting mix. To avoid damping off (to which snapdragons are somewhat prone), increase ventilation, use a layer of vermiculite on top of the soil, and water only from below. Transplant out once daytime temperatures are consistently above 10°C (50°F) and space 30cm (12″) apart.

Growing

Grow these easy sub-shrubs in rich, soil with a neutral pH. Pinch back young plants once 6 leaves have appeared for bushier mature plants. Feed lightly twice, before any flowers appear. Deadhead often. If flowering seems to subside, cut back dramatically, and then feed and water generously.

How to Grow Snapdragons

Step 1

Timing

Start snapdragons indoors, 8-10 weeks before planting out. Transplant out after last frost. Direct sowing is less reliable. Provide bright light and a soil temperature of 12°C (55°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-21 days.

Step 2

Starting

Sow on the surface of a sterilized seed starting mix. To avoid damping off (to which snapdragons are somewhat prone), increase ventilation, use a layer of vermiculite on top of the soil, and water only from below. Transplant out once daytime temperatures are consistently above 10°C (50°F) and space 30cm (12″) apart.

Step 3

Growing

Grow these easy sub-shrubs in rich, soil with a neutral pH. Pinch back young plants once 6 leaves have appeared for bushier mature plants. Feed lightly twice, before any flowers appear. Deadhead often. If flowering seems to subside, cut back dramatically, and then feed and water generously.