Common Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus (an-tih-RYE-num MAY-jus)
A well-known garden favorite. Genus name comes from the Greek words anti meaning like and rhis meaning a nose or snout in allusion to the appearance of the flower which looks like a dragon's snout. Short-lived tender perennial, grown as annual. Moist, rich, well-drained soil in full to part sun. Avoid overhead watering. Low drought tolerance, languishes in the summer heat. Many color combinations, good in mass plantings; both tall and shorter cultivars available. Makes a good container plant and cut flower. Erect to straggling herb. Tall plants may need to be staked. The flowers are edible, but bitter, so are best used as a garnish. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : Significant susceptibility to rust; also susceptible to mold, fungal leaf spots, downy mildew, wilt and root rots. Quick ID Hints : Flowers large, corolla zygomorphic, two-lipped Corolla tube -lower surface strongly invaginated into throar Leaves crowded, narrow & elongated Blooms early summer to fall. Utilized for massing, borders (tall erect se;ections), edging *sprawling, dwarf selections), cut flowers. Bee polinated, which land on lower lobe & force open the two lips to crawl in & reach nectare. Perennial in wild (SW Europe, Meditteranean area), treated her in cultivation as a bedding plant. Has pest/disease problems, especially fungal.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 51 attributes.