Snapdragons: Everything You Need To Know
You know that friend who just adds something special to every party they attend? They show up in an eye-catching outfit, with some gossip to divulge, and are a friend to all? For us, that’s the snapdragon.
They’re bright, a little dramatic and work in pretty much every arrangement. They add colour, height and… once you know a little more about them… are incredibly interesting, with a fascinating history behind their snappy happy heads.
Why are they called snapdragons?
If you’ve ever had a little squeeze of a snapdragon’s head and made it roar (no, just us?), then you’re simply living life like the Ancient Greeks. As, unsurprisingly, the snapdragons name comes from its appearance – its Greek name is Antirrhinum – "anti" means "like", while "rrhinum" means "snout". They are the prettiest jaws and snouts of a dragon we’ve ever seen.
What is the symbolism of snapdragons?
They’re a little contradictory, as in floriography, snapdragons either mean deception or graciousness. It is said that concealing a snapdragon makes a person appear fascinating and cordial… but we’d prefer it if you kept our snapdragons in full sight. They’re too beautiful to conceal!
Where do snapdragons grow?
While their actual origin is unknown, it’s believed that snapdragons were originally wild flowers in Spain and Italy, and they’ve since spread across the world.
They were brought to America when colonists began to populate the states and planted them in gardens in almost every state, but we consider them quite the English garden flower, as they’re often found, from spring onwards, popping up in gardens across the country. It’s why we love them in our flower subscription boxes, to bring a taste of that quintessential English garden feel indoors.
Snapdragon care tips
Now that you’re a little more well-acquainted with snapdragons, let’s talk about the best ways to care for and display your flowers in vases around the hom
When do snapdragons flower?
Snapdragons can be expected to bloom between June and October, thriving in cooler temperatures. You may have heard strange stories and have questions about their growth, like, 'Do snapdragons grow from the bottom up?’ The simple answer is yes!
Unlike many other flowers, snapdragons famously bloom from the bottom up. Flowers can take weeks to bloom, starting from the bottom and gradually making their way up to the peak of the stem.
How do I look after my snapdragons?
As well as ensuring you’re giving them fresh water and food every three days, make sure you remove the lower leaves below the waterline before popping them in the vase to prolong their vase life.
As snapdragons grow from the bottom up, remove the lower flowers as they start to turn to help the top ones open up. The longer they are in the vase, the thicker the snapdragons will get. You might notice that they twist and turn towards the sunlight; this is totally normal… wouldn’t you rather face the sunlight too?
How long do snapdragons last as cut flowers?
Snapdragons will generally last between seven and 14 days as cut flowers with the proper care and attention. Pay particular attention to our tips and recommendations to get the most out of your blooms – after all, they’re too beautiful to waste.
Order snapdragons from Freddie’s Flowers
Now that you’re fully caught up on snapdragon care and their unique meanings and symbolism, order your very own today from Freddie’s Flowers. You’ll find snapdragons in so many of our arrangements, as they go with everything! They add height, colour and drama, and – if you like – you can also cut them down, adding them to smaller vases and even little bud vases.
Subscribe to Freddie’s Flowers today or gift flowers to your loved ones. If you have any questions about our snapdragons, don’t hesitate to contact us or take a look at our about us page.
