Who remembers drinking from a snapdragon as a kid? When was the last time you stop to drink from your snapdragons? Snapdragons are two-lipped tubular flowers and are well-known as a symbol of strength and resilience.

Snapdragon flowers (Antirrhinum) are from the Plantain family. When you look at their botanical name closely, Anti means “like”, rhis means “snout”. Snout-like refers to their flower shape. There are over 30 cultivars. The common snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is mostly a short-lived perennial. Although I have several in my garden that has been there for many years. They come in many colors, such as white, yellow, red, orange, pink, lavender, a combination of colors, and bi-colors. They are great for adding color during the fall and will bloom for a very long time. And in the right conditions, almost year-round. Snapdragons come in tall, medium, and dwarf varieties. They come in semi-open and open faces (butterfly type) blossoms. Their blossoms are edible and can be used in salads, desserts, and drinks, but use it sparingly. They are evergreen plants, deer and rabbit resistant, handle various soil types, but prefer well-drained soil, attract wild birds, insects and hummingbirds, and a great cut flower. Snapdragons dislike overhead watering. Overhead watering leads to bacterial and fungus problems.

Here are some of my favorite varieties:

'Tom Thumb' is a good dwarf variety.

'Rocket' is heat and drought tolerant, grows to 3 feet tall, is strong and sturdy.

'Chandelier', has a trailing habit, good for baskets.

Aroma series, come in several different scents.

'Chantilly' is extra tall and can grow to 4 feet, has open butterfly style faces.