Semi-tall Snapdragon Torbay Rock Seeds - Antirrhinum nanum

Antirrhinum nanum 'Torbay Rock' is a unique, very original selection that features eye-catching blooms, randomly striped and flecked with purplish pink, reddish orange, bright yellow and white. The semi-tall plants are not sensitive to rust. Perfect for borders, bedding and pots. Snapdragons are annuals or short-lived perennials depending on the climate and soil. These easy-going, prolific bloomers self-seed in the most unlikely of places. Grow in well-prepared, free-draining soil in full sun.

Antirrhinum majus, commonly referred to as Snapdragon, has been grown in gardens since the 16th century. It belongs to the Scrofulariaceae family and is native to the west of the Mediterranean basin where it grows between rocks and on dry slopes. It is often found growing in between cracks in old garden walls. A. nanum 'Torbay Rock' is a semi-tall variety that flowers in its second year. The compact, 60 cm tall and 25 cm wide clumps are made up of erect stems, covered with opposite or alternate linear to lanceolate leaves, medium green in colour. From May-June to September-October (or the first frosts), sturdy flower spikes emerge, densely covered with tubular flowers that vary in colour depending on the plant. Often randomly striped and flecked, occasionally solid, colours include cream, yellow, white, pink, purple and scarlet. The flowers are delicately scented. Snapdragons are a magnet to bees and butterflies. They self-seed easily in light soil, however they are not always true to type.

Snapdragons are easy to grow, perfect for naturalistic gardens, scented gardens, and cottage gardens. They are generally treated as annuals in heavy soil and colder climates. Medium-sized varieties such as 'Torbay Rock' are perfect for growing in borders, flower beds, rock gardens and pots. They are also suitable for cutting. They combine well with Love-in-a-mist, Cosmos or annual poppies. Snapdragons’ colourful flower spikes look particularly attractive amongst bushy perennials (fennel, ox-eye daisies, cardoons, asters, perennial chrysanthemums) or small, neutral-coloured shrubs (lavender, santolina, mugwort, euphorbia, Thymus hirsutus) ... Once the plants are well established, we recommend removing spent flowers regularly to extend the blooming period.

Snapdragon seeds are best left to experienced, seasoned gardeners as they are extremely small, like fine dust.