Antirrhinum majus 'Night and Day'
snapdragon
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Fertile, well drained soil
- Rate of growth: Average
- Hardiness: Half hardy, short-lived perennial
- Garden care: Plant out and water your bedding plants early in the morning with a weak solution of a potash-rich fertiliser, such as Tomorite. Deadhead the flowers on a regular basis as this will encourage new growth and stop the plants putting all their energy into seed production.
- Sowing instructions: Fill trays with good quality compost and lightly cover the seeds. Water, and place in a cold frame or greenhouse. Pot on when they have put on their first true leaves and the harden off before planting out at 20-30cm intervals, after the frosts have passed. Seeds sown in autumn and overwintered in a cold frame, will produce bigger plants which will flower earlier in the year, than those sown in spring.
- Sow: August to October or March to April
- Flowering: June to September
- Approximate quantity: 500 seeds
Opening from the base of the upright stem in summer, the flowers of this snapdragon are a striking mix of creamy white and rich, burgundy-red. This short-lived plant is usually treated as an annual, but it's perfect for quickly (and inexpensively) filling gaps in a sunny border. The flowers will also look great when cut for a vase.