THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501270078
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
THE OLD-FASHIONED snapdragon is one of the easiest and most versatile flowers you can grow. It's perfect for teaching children about flowers, because they enjoy watching the flower's dragon jaw open and snap shut.
It also is a good cut flower, and, although classified as an ``annual,'' it survives mild winters and blooms again in the spring.
Snapdragons are native to the Mediterranean, and in Greek, the name means ``like'' and ``snout.'' Reportedly the Greeks squinted at the seed pod of the snapdragon and decided it looked like the snout of a calf, and the English word ``snapdragon'' was derived from the Greek.
The Chinese and Japanese call snapdragons ``Goldfish flowers'' because of the resemblance to a goldfish's head and jaws.
For years, snapdragons have been cultivated as food in Russia and the Balkans. Seeds are crushed, releasing an oil similar to olive oil that can be used in place of butter.
In the United States, snapdragons were grown as early as 1767. On May 28 of that year, Thomas Jefferson noted in his dairy that ``Snapdragons are blooming.'' Today, snapdragons are especially popular in English cottage gardens.
Originally grown in large quantities by florists, a shorter variety was developed in 1960, designed for outdoor gardens. Called Rocket snapdragons, the new variety won an ``All-America'' crown that year. All-America honors were achieved again in 1966 with a variety named Bright Butterflies. It was described as ``an azalea flower form.''
Today there are three garden-type snapdragons - dragon jaw, butterfly and double azalea flowered. Colors span the spectrum, except there is no blue. Some varieties are bicolored, having one predominant color with a contrasting tube or eye color.
Given a sunny location and moderately rich, well-drained soil, snapdragons respond with a dazzling summer display. They will bloom in light shade but do best in full sun. As soon as the ground can be worked, spade the soil and break up any clumps. Lighten heavy soil with aged compost or peat moss.
Snapdragons prefer a soil that is neutral, such as a 6.5 pH. If yours is acidic, you may need to add lime. Rake the soil until it's smooth.
To grow from seed, start the seed indoors in the light. Spread seed on a soil mix and press the surface gently to firm it up but do not cover. Water lightly with a misting bottle. Keep the seed container in a plastic bag for two weeks until the seeds have germinated. Remove the plastic bag and place the container where it will receive bright light. Check daily for moisture. When plants are 3 inches tall, move them outdoors.
Garden centers also sell snapdragon plants each spring. Check the label for color and height, because they vary from dwarf (6 to 8 inches) to tall, (30 to 36 inches.) Plants should be watered and fertilized well at planting but need little fertilizer thereafter.
Tall varieties may need to be staked so they won't break in a wind or rain storm. Prune off spent blooms to force the plant to bush out and bloom more. Other than that, they need little care.
They'll bloom all summer and give you lots of cut flowers for the house or color for the garden. ILLUSTRATION: NATIONAL GARDEN BUREAU
Children enjoy snapping the dragon's jaw of colorful snapdragons.
by CNB