Blooming Time for Snapdragons

The common snapdragon, or Antirrhinum majus, is a popular flowering annual in home gardens, according to the Washington State University Clark County Extension website. It grows in USDA climate zones 4 through 11 and blooms in summer.

Identification

• Long-lasting snapdragon flowers grow on upright stems above slightly fuzzy foliage. With their flower spikes, snapdragons can reach heights ranging from 6 to 36 inches tall. The flowers have two tubular "lips," which you can squeeze on the sides to cause the flower to open and reveal its stamen and pistil. Colors range from white to a purple so dark it is nearly black.

Exact Blooming Period

• The Washington State University Clark County Extension website reports that snapdragons typically begin to bloom in May and continue through September, often until the first frost in fall. You can use cut flower stalks in floral arrangements: keeping flowers picked helps the plant to grow more flowers.

Encouraging Summer Blooming

• Snapdragon seeds are tiny and can take three weeks to germinate, so many gardeners purchase bedding plants. Plant snapdragons in full sun with well-drained, average soil. After most flowers die back, cut them off and add fertilizer, which can give you renewed growth and more flowers later in the summer.