Snappin’ up snapdragon

Red snapdragon flowers in wild with fresh green background.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are a fun, vibrant plant that can grow as a perennial in some gardens, but is often treated as a spring and summer flowering annual. They are great for young kids and for the young at heart, as the flowers can be picked and squeezed to form little dragon-like mouths! They are available in a variety of lovely bright colours and can be grown in garden beds, pots & hanging baskets.

How to grow snapdragons in a garden

From Seed:

Lightly sow the seeds into trays of Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Gently press down and lightly water with a fine mist spray.

Keep trays in a warm place and retain moisture by covering with glass or plastic cling wrap.

While the seeds are germinating, choose a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil and dig in some Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed before planting.

Transplant seedlings into your prepared garden bed when they are large enough to handle, and ensure the seedlings are well spaced — at least 30cm apart. Water in well.

Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw.

Feed regularly Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food.

TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.

Established plants:

Choose a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Position in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant’s root zone. This helps keep water where it’s needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks, while the new plant establishes.

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the stem.

Feed regularly with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food.

TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.

How to grow snapdragons in a pot

From seed:

Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.

Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Sow the seeds directly into the pot by pressing them lightly into the mix and water well. Keep the pot in a warm place and retain moisture by covering with glass or plastic cling wrap.

Water gently and keep moist through the germination period.

Feed during the growing and flowering the season with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.

Established plants:

Choose a pot at least 200mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.

Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the plant container. Remove the shrub from the container and gently tease the roots.

Position in the hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Feed during the growing and flowering season with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate. — Courtesy of Yates