summertime snapdragon impart continuous colour to any garden .

New to many greenhouse shelf , angelonia ( or summer snapdragon ) is a dramatic addition for continuous color in any garden . It has been around since the late 1990s , and several fresh plus are already in this plant ’s playbook . Atough perennialin Zones 9 to 11 , angelonia is grown as an yearly elsewhere and stand up against summertime heat and humidity with no problem , making it a red-blooded and colored addition to any sunny spot .

Most angelonia plants maturate upright with spires of blossom and deep green , glossy foliage . The stature range is normally between 1 and 2 foot . Some angelonia plants grow more horizontally than vertically . These varieties typically do n’t maturate more than 1 infantry marvellous but go around out nicely . If you ’re looking for a cascading trailer , angelonia is n’t the best fit . It does n’t spill over the edges of container or walls but grow straight out .

white angelonia

David Speer.

Look nearly at summertime snapdragon flowers , and you ’ll see where this flora got its soubriquet : The blossom are redolent of the astray - open mouth of a flagitious dragon . Unlike true snapdragons , angelonia bloom present as one coalesce petal with no hinges . The blossom tend to seem in the blueish - purple to white spectrum , and a few ruddy miscellany have popped up recently .

Where to Plant Angelonia

This South American indigene hump lots of sun and damp soil . It is hardy inUSDA zone 9–11and grows as an annual elsewhere in the state . Plant angelonia in full Dominicus and rich land that has beenamended with compost .

Erect spires of angelonia match nicely into the middle of a bed or borderline . It ’s also tall enough to represent as a “ thriller ” in a container of mixed works with exchangeable light and water system needs .

How and When to Plant Angelonia

arrange out angelonia bonk plant two or three calendar week after thelast frost in outpouring . blank them 12 to 18 in apart in rich , well - debilitate soil and keep them moist . When they are 6 inches grandiloquent , tweet out the tips of the stems to boost branching . After they are established , they do n’t require as much H2O — only about an in a week . Apply alayer of mulcharound the industrial plant to hold in the wet .

If you’re able to find angelonia seeds , lightly press them into the dirt in early springiness after the last frost in Zones 9–11 . In cooler sphere , commence them indoors six week before the last freeze . Press the seeds into the amend garden stain orpotting commixture , but do n’t cover them ; light aids germination . When growing them indoors , bring home the bacon bright visible radiation and temperature between 70 ° F and 75 ° degree Fahrenheit .

Angelonia Care Tips

Light

When plant angelonia , look for cheery spots with lots of airflow . Keep in mind that this plant wo n’t grow many flower and is more disease - prone when it does n’t receiveeight hours of sun daily .

Soil and Water

Angelonia establish prefermoist , well - draining stain , but after they are established , they can stand firm brief periods of drought .

Temperature and Humidity

Do n’t vex about too much heat or humidity ; angelonia industrial plant are drouth - tolerant and have no trouble with hot , humid summer years .

Fertilizer

Fertilize angelonia plant lightly with aflower fertilizer , follow the intersection instruction manual . Do n’t overfertilize , or the industrial plant will become long-legged and produce more leafage than flowers .

Pruning

Angelonia produces flower all summer anddoesn’t want any deadheadingto keep the blooms coming . If the plant becomes leggy , rejuvenate it in midsummer by cutting it back by half .

Potting and Repotting Angelonia

Angelonia is an excellent choice for outdoor container in live , sunny floater . blame a container with skilful drainage that can hold a with child amount of territory and wet , and plan on watering regularly , even daily , during the hottest days of summer , or set up adrip irrigation systemto do this for you . Press the seeds in thinly , but do n’t overlay them .

In areas where angelonia is grow as an yearbook , no repotting is needed . In Zones 9 - 11 , where it is grown as a perennial , repot the plant each springtime , refreshing the potting soil .

Pests and Problems

Angelonia is relatively pestilence - free , althoughaphids can become a problemearly in the get season . A strong nebulizer of water and a couple of applications of insecticidal soap , following the product instructions , should take care of the matter .

How to Propagate Angelonia

Nonpatented angelonia plantsare best pass around via theme cuttings . Seeds are now available for some popular cultivars . Seeds from garden hybrids wo n’t get plant identical to the parent plant .

Propagate from a Stem Cutting

Sow Seeds Indoors for Transplants

Sow seed six to eight weeks before the last springtime hoarfrost .

Sow Seeds Outdoors in Garden Soil

Types of Angelonia

There are a variety of angelonia selections . Some series bluster the largest bloom sizing , while others offer dwarf plants ( stark forcontainer culture ) . One of the more recent development in angelonia breeding is seed - grown varieties . This pick lowers production costs and provides quality plant at low prices and a adept variety of people of color pick .

‘Serena Purple’ Angelonia

‘ Serena Purple ’ angelonia(Angelonia angustifolia ) is one of the most acclaimed angelonias . Serena flowers have an wide blooming time of year and are good and intrepid , even in blaze away summer temperature .

‘Angelmist Dark Plum’ Angelonia

‘ Angelmist Dark Plum ’ angelonia is one of the moody colour selections ; it bearsdeep purple flowersall summer and produce 2 feet tall .

‘Angelmist Lavender’ Angelonia

‘ Angelmist Lavender ’ angelonia offers clear lavender - over-embellished prime on 2 - foot - tall plants .

‘Angelmist Purple Stripe’ Angelonia

‘ Angelmist Purple Stripe ’ angelonia is an eye - catch option with deep purple flush that have bold white border . It grows 2 substructure magniloquent .

‘Serenita Raspberry’ Angelonia

Angelonia angustifolia‘Serenita Raspberry ’ is a ejaculate variety that is diminished than its Serena series siblings .

‘Serena White’ Angelonia

Angelonia angustifolia‘Serena White ’ forms a compact , mounding plant that stay on about a foot marvellous and is covered in blanched blooms .

‘Archangel Purple’ Angelonia

Angelonia angustifolia ‘ Archangel Purple ’ is an good plant life underwrite in exceptionally large flowers .

Angelonia Companion Plants

Dusty Miller

Dusty Glenn Miller is a best-loved becauseit looks good with everything . The silvery - white coloring is a great hydrofoil for any garden blossom , and the fine - textured foliage make a beautiful line against other form of green foliation . Dusty miller has also earned a berth in the garden because it ’s delightfully easy to arise , withstanding heat and drouth like a protagonist .

Geranium

Geraniums havebeen a gardener ’s favoritefor well over a century . The old - fashioned touchstone for bed , borders , and container , geranium is still one of the most popular plants today . Traditional bedding type love live weather and reserve up well to dry condition ; many offer colorful foliage . ‘ Regal ’ , also call ‘ Martha Washington ’ , geraniums are more delicate - depend and do better in the cool conditions of spring and fall . Though most geranium are grown as annuals , they are perennial in Zones 10–11 . add them indoors to overwinter , if you wish , and then replant outdoors in spring . They can bloom indoors all yr long if they get enough light .

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are incredibly versatile . They turn well from ejaculate seed like a shot in your garden ’s poorest soil and bloom all season until hoar ; plus , they are never greedy about food or fertilizer . Nasturtium are available ineither spread or climbing types . Plant spreading types in large container to spill over the sides . implant them alongside broad paths to soften the sides for a romantic aspect .

Use nasturtiums to clear up a rock garden or between paving stones . Place them at the edges of layer and borders to fill in between other plant and add soft , flowing coloring material . gearing climbing type on trellises or alongside fence . The leaves andflowers are edible ; use them as a showy plate garnish or to jazz up salads .

Sage

You justcan’t overdo salvia in the garden . This perennial herb bring in its keep with fast - growing ways , beautiful flush , and a flavor deer find revolting . Once established , plants shrug off drouth , although it ’s wise to keep plants well - hydrated through the hottest parts of summer if you desire a steady supply of supple foliage . Some gardeners pinch out flush bud to keep leaves imprint , but the bloom of youth are beautiful .

After the blossoms pass ( if you rent the plant blossom ) , slew the stems back to beneath where the prime buds formed . Do n’t cut back to woody stems that have no leaves ; those most likely wo n’t sprout again . salvia plants typically need supercede every three to four years as plant become woody and grow fewer leave .

The uses of sage are wide - ranging . Besides its pop usance as a culinary herb , sage is also commonly pressed into service in cosmetic , perfume , and goop . Hanging dry leaves among woollen clothing deters moths . Burning salvia remove unpleasant olfactory sensation , such as lounge fag smoke or the smell of cooked fish .

angelmist dark plum angelonia

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Frequently Asked Questions

Angelonia is not toxic and is safe to produce where pets and shaver play .

Angelonia is strikingly beautiful in garden beds and borders , but it also shines in mass plantings or as a container plant . The foliage , not the flowers , is fragrant , and both foliage and flower are excellent in floral arrangements .

This native flora of Mexico and Argentina produce its name from the Latinized variant of its South American common name , angelon .

angelmist lavender angelonia

Credit: Bob Stefko Photography

Yes ! Bees , butterlies , and hummingbird all love it .

angelmist purple stripe angelonia

Credit: Andy Lyons Cameraworks

Serenita Raspberry Angelonia

Credit: Blaine Moats

serena white angelonia

Credit: David Speer

Archangel Purple Angelonia

Credit: Justin Hancock

dusty miller

Credit: Tom Mcwilliam

pink geranium

Credit: Andrew Drake

yellow and orange nasturtiums

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Sage

Credit: Marty Baldwin