Oh Snap!

Snapdragons, known as antirrhinum, are genus of plants native to Europe, the United States and North Africa. They are so called because their blooms resemble mouths that open and close, when the flowers are pressed on their sides. I spend many summers as a child doing just that.

Antirrhinum will produce stalks with up to 15 cheery blooms.

The flowers start blooming from the bottom and work its way up the stalk. Flowers come in just about every colour of the rainbow, including red, pink, white, yellow, orange and lavender. Some are even bi-coloured. Modern hybrids include double-blooms and variations in leaf colouring.

Snapdragons are a summertime, cottage garden favourite. Taller varieties work well as borders and cutting gardens, while shorter ones would be ideal for bedding, window boxes and containers.

Snapdragons make excellent cut flowers, adding height, colour and texture to arrangements. Flowers will generally last 8-12 days, if the stems are cut frequently.

They are sensitive to ethylene gas, so keep away from ripe fruit and veggies, dying flowers and excess heat.

Here are some FUN FACTS ABOUT SNAPDRAGONS:

1- Snapdragons are called “rabbit’s lips” in Asia.

2- they are called Bocche di Leone in Italy - Lion’s lips -

3 - Snapdragons are related to the foxglove.

4-These flowers have been cultivated since the 1700s.

5 - They are great for attracting bees and butterflies.

6 -Snapdragons represent graciousness and strength

7-In folklore they were used as a magic charm against falsehood.

8- Snapdragon flowers are edible. Some restaurants use them as a garnish for certain dishes and drinks.