Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss'
snapdragon Shiryu Kiss
A standout snapdragon bred for performance as much as beauty. Dense, upright spikes carry deep purple blooms over a long season, lifting beds and containers with reliable colour when many others fade.
Antirrhinum ‘Shiryu Kiss’ also brings attractive purple-flushed foliage, adding interest even before the flowers arrive. It’s been shortlisted for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2026, thanks to its strong garden performance and resilience.
Unlike traditional snapdragons, this one behaves as a hardy perennial, dying back in autumn and re-emerging in spring with renewed vigour. It thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and copes well with heat, making it a solid choice for low-fuss planting schemes.
It’s been bred with excellent resistance to rust and powdery mildew, so it stays healthier for longer without constant attention. The overall habit is neat but generous, making it ideal for borders, mixed planting, or container displays where you want dependable colour and structure.
Antirrhinum ‘Shiryu Kiss’ also brings attractive purple-flushed foliage, adding interest even before the flowers arrive. It’s been shortlisted for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2026, thanks to its strong garden performance and resilience.
Unlike traditional snapdragons, this one behaves as a hardy perennial, dying back in autumn and re-emerging in spring with renewed vigour. It thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and copes well with heat, making it a solid choice for low-fuss planting schemes.
It’s been bred with excellent resistance to rust and powdery mildew, so it stays healthier for longer without constant attention. The overall habit is neat but generous, making it ideal for borders, mixed planting, or container displays where you want dependable colour and structure.
How to care for Antirrhinum Shiryu Kiss:
Plant in a sunny, open spot with free-draining soil or a well-prepared container, as perennial snapdragons perform best when its roots aren’t in wet ground for long periods. Add grit or organic matter if your soil is heavy, and space plants so air can move around them, which helps keep the foliage healthy and reduces disease risk.
Water regularly while it’s establishing, then only as needed during dry spells, and feed lightly with a balanced fertiliser through the flowering season to keep those purple spikes coming. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers, and cut the plant back in late autumn once growth dies down.
A light mulch around the base in colder areas will help protect the crown and support strong regrowth the following year.
Water regularly while it’s establishing, then only as needed during dry spells, and feed lightly with a balanced fertiliser through the flowering season to keep those purple spikes coming. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers, and cut the plant back in late autumn once growth dies down.
A light mulch around the base in colder areas will help protect the crown and support strong regrowth the following year.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.9m
Eventual spread:
0.6m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
