35 Stunning Snapdragon Varieties for Your Backyard

There are many different types and varieties of snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus), specifically bred for high productivity in various zones and day lengths. Selecting the right ones for your region will result in the best yields and blooms, while going outside the recommendations may lower the quality and decrease productivity.

Breeders and seed companies may indicate the variety groups (1-4), which is based on day length and temperature. Picking the right ones will help ensure good stem length and bloom quality. 

First, let’s discuss the different groups and harvest seasons, and then we’ll dig into the perfect snapdragon varieties for your garden. 

Night and Day

Night and Day Snapdragon Seeds

Orange Wonder

Orange Wonder Snapdragon Seeds

Magic Carpet Blend

Magic Carpet Blend Snapdragon Seeds

Snapdragon Groups

Snapdragons are grown as tender perennials in zones 7-11.

Snapdragon varieties are divided into groupings based on their day length needs and bloom seasonality. Note that some varieties and series perform well across all seasons. Experimentation will help you find what works best in your region. 

The different types of blooms available are:

• Traditional: The most common, resembling a dragon’s mouth when pinched. The ‘Legend,’ ‘Bridal,’ ‘Costa,’ ‘Opus,’ ‘Potomac,’ ‘Rocket,’ and ‘Orleans’ series are included. 
• Open-faced: Single petals are fully revealed when in bloom. Includes the ‘Chantilly’ series. 
• Azalea: Fluffy, full, double, Victorian look. Includes the ‘Madame Butterfly’ series. 

You can also select snapdragon varieties by their height. Tall varieties grow to be 2.5 to 4 feet, mid-size varieties up to 30 inches, and dwarf varieties between 6 and 15 inches. Some varieties are bred for greenhouse production, while others do just fine in the open garden. 

Snapdragons are tender perennials in zones 7-11 but are typically grown as annuals. They all prefer full sun to partial shade and are best when started indoors from seed. Now, let’s get into 35 beautiful snapdragon varieties you can try this season.

‘Chantilly™ Light Salmon’

The ‘Chantilly’ series of flowers boasts delicate salmon-peach blooms.

This delicate salmon-peach variety is the perfect shade to celebrate the arrival of spring. They perform well in the field or under protection. 

The long-lasting blooms of ‘Chantilly™ Light Salmon’ create a lovely bouquet on their own due to their color variance but pair them with pastel yarrow stems or narcissus punch it up.

The ‘Chantilly’ series will produce thin or weak stems when grown on long days, so only short-day production is recommended. 

‘Cherry Twist’

This snapdragon boasts magenta and buttercream petals on pale green stems.

‘Cherry Twist’ deserves a place in your summer garden for its vibrant magenta and buttercream petals along with pale green stems. It’s open-pollinated and blooms from mid-July to September. 

This snapdragon was awarded the Fleuroselect Award of Novelty for its unique flair. It also matures quicker than most other varieties. 

Pro tip: Pinch back only a portion of your snapdragon plot. The ones left unpinched will get you earlier blooms.

‘Tom Thumb Mixed’

The ‘Tom Thumb Mixed’ cultivar thrives in containers in sunny spots.

This dwarf variety performs well in a container in well-draining soil where it receives full sun. It’s low-growing to about 8 inches and blooms from March to May. 

“Tom Thumb Mixed’ includes soft pastel shades from bicolor pink and yellow to deep violet. 

Not much garden space? No problem! This variety is happy in a container or window boxes. Growers say it tastes slightly citrusy and can be used to punch up salads or summer cupcakes. 

‘Orange Wonder’

The stems of ‘Orange Wonder’ can be arranged in bouquets for added interest.

This open-pollinated snapdragon variety features ombre-fashioned bright orange blending into a soft pink, sure to add interest to your cutting or pollinator garden. Start them indoors in February in northern climates. 

Make a bouquet solely of ‘Orange Wonder’ stems, playing around with height and direction to add interest.  

Pro tip: Remove foliage from the bottom third of the stem that will be directly in water, keeping the rest to serve as a bouquet filler. Change water several times a week for the best vase life. 

‘Madame Butterfly Bronze with White’

This snapdragon variety offers a fresh yet slightly antique look.

It’s hard to pick favorites among snapdragon varieties, but I’ll admit, I’m a ”Madame Butterfly’ gal. The excessive frills, double petals, and densely filled stems do it for me. 

‘Madame Butterfly Bronze with White’ is a fancy, Victorian-style bloom featuring a white trumpet with bronzey petals, giving it a fresh yet slightly antique appearance. 

Transplanting snapdragons is recommended. Start indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost. Light is required for germination. Bottom water to hold seeds in place (watering from the surface may dislodge them). Harden off seedlings when they have four to six sets of true leaves. 

‘Madame Butterfly Rose’

Encourage stem growth in ‘Madame Butterfly Rose’ by cutting low with the cut-and-come-again method.

If you’re looking for a staple pink snapdragon, ‘Madame Butterfly Rose’ will not disappoint. Its dense and fluffy stems will add elegance to a cutting garden and are the perfect spike-style flower for bouquets. 

When using the cut-and-come-again method on snapdragons, cut the stem low to the ground to encourage more vertical stem growth. 

Pro tip: Place a single, fully developed stem of ‘Madame Butterfly Rose’ in a short vase for a fresh and fun centerpiece. 

‘Madame Butterfly Mix’

AAS-winning ‘Madame Butterfly Mix’ offers a diverse blend of bronze, white, and cherry flowers.

This blend gives you a taste of all the ‘Madame Butterfly’ series has to offer: a little bit of bronze with white, cherry with bronze, ivory, rose, pink, and red.

‘Madame Butterfly Mix’ is an AAS (All-America Selections) winner. 

Pro tip: Avoid heavy top watering snapdragons to decrease the risk of fungal diseases like rust. 

‘Potomac™ Custom Mix’

A custom mix called ‘Potomac Custom Mix’ offers brilliant colors and long stems.

‘Potomac™ Custom Mix’ is a brilliant mix of colors with amazing stem length and similar bloom times. Colors include white, yellow, red, orange, pink, apple blossom, cherry rose, and lavender. 

In 1994, the ‘Potomac™ Plum Blossom,’ a lavender and white bi-color option, was recognized during the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers National Cut Flower Trials as an exceptional cultivar. 

Pro tip: Use trellis netting when transplanting by placing it on the ground and staking it in place. Use the net as a guide for spacing, then shimmy it up the stakes. As the snaps grow, they’ll find an opening and use the netting as support. Add another layer if needed.  

‘Potomac™ Lavender’

The ‘Potomac Lavender’ stands out with its soft lavender hue.

Anything in the Potomac™ series make easy choices for beginners, but the ‘Potomac™ Lavender’ is a standout. Its soft, creamy lavender and light green stems are the perfect combo to pair with perennial yarrow, bright lupine, or spring-blooming tulips. 

Harvest snapdragons in the early morning or evening when the sun has gone down. 

Did you know? Snapdragon flowers are edible! Use them to adorn charcuterie boards and cakes for a special touch. 

‘Costa Silver’

A blush pink variety named ‘Costa Silver’ is ideal for bridal or baby themes.

‘Costa Silver’ is a crisp, clean blush pink, some almost white, making it perfect for all things bridal or baby. 

This variety has strong, robust stems and tips. Support is typically not needed. Plants are safe in strong winds. 

While pinching will delay bloom times, you’ll get more blooms if you use this method. Cut and come again all season! 

‘Costa Apricot’ 

This spring-blooming variety thrives in short days and low temperatures.

Another color option perfect for spring, this variety will bloom prolifically under short days and low temperatures. Plant a second succession for fall production.

With a subtle and neutral shade, pair ‘Costa Apricot’ with just about anything in the garden! Dark green, white, and yellow will complement the peach tones well. 

The strong, robust stems of ‘Costa Apricot’ will add height and interest to every bouquet. 

‘Costa Deep Rose’

Day length affects the quality of flowers and stems of the ‘Costa Deep Rose.’

‘Costa Deep Rose’ is a highly adaptable group 2 snapdragon. It boasts a fully saturated, deep cherry rose and robust blooms. 

When day length increases, flower and stem quality decreases.  

Pro tip: Pinch snapdragon seedlings when they’re a few inches tall before or after transplanting. This will force energy into their root system, yielding a bushier plant and long side shoots. Pinching will get you more stems and blooms in the long run.

‘Snappy™ Red Yellow’

This snapdragon variety offers striking blood-red petals with yellow bases and mottling.

The ‘Snappy™’ series is a dwarf variety of snapdragons bred for short stems for borders and containers. They’re early to bloom with strong stems and can withstand frosts and freezing. 

‘Snappy™ Red Yellow’ is a striking blood red with yellow bottoms with some mottling making it a very interesting option. 

The ‘Snappy™’ series was rated the best overall series of dwarf snaps by the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

‘Creeping Snapdragon’

A trailing plant known as ‘Creeping Snapdragon’ features subtle yellow flowers with purple veins.

If you’re looking for an interesting creeper for stone walls, containers, or rock gardens, check out the trailing ‘Creeping Snapdragon.’ This variety is subtle with single, pale to deep yellow flowers with light purple veins. 

It blooms in summer and performs best in zones 6-9 in full sun to partial shade and sandy or rich soil. Plants can be taken indoors through the winter in colder climates. 

Previously, ‘Creeping Snapdragon’ was classified as Antirrhinum asarina due to its fragrant, snapdragon-like blooms, but today, it is Asarina procumbens for its trailing stems. It is not known to have any serious disease or pest concerns and may self-seed. 

‘Potomac Summer Berry Blend’

The ‘Potomac Summer Berry Blend’ reaches up to five feet in height.

The ‘Potomac Summer Berry Blend’ is the flower world’s candy, resembling sweet, juicy summer berries. The blend of cream, light pink, red, and magenta makes an easy mixed bouquet. 

Their height can reach an impressive five feet. Add them to a winding pathway or the back of a cottage garden.

‘Frosted Flames’ 

This plant features blooms in multiple colors and unique narrow foliage.

This interesting Fleuroselect Quality Award winner is variegated, offering blooms in pink, velvety red, cream, buttery yellow, and various bi-colors. 

Its unique narrow foliage transitions from ivory along the edge to medium green in the middle. Add ‘Frosted Flames’ to a border or cottage garden for an interesting summer display. 

Pro tip: Harvest snaps when blooms on the lower ⅓ of the stem are open. Add them immediately to a bucket of clean, cool water and allow them to rest in a dark area before arranging them in a bouquet. 

‘Candy Showers Orange’

The ‘Candy Showers Orange’ forms a vibrant flower carpet at the base of other plants.

‘Candy Showers Orange’ is perfect for urban gardeners, gardeners with small spaces, or those of us who prefer hanging baskets and window boxes.

This dwarf, trailing variety (Antirrhinum majus nanum pendula) will grow around the base of  your other cut flowers when planted in the garden, adding a vibrant carpet of blooms. 

Pair ‘Candy Showers Orange’ with bold violets and blues or yellows and oranges. Grow it as a perennial in zones 8 and warmer. It matures quickly!

‘Oriental Lantern’ 

Enhance your cocktails with an ‘Oriental Lantern’ as a floating garnish.

‘Oriental Lantern’ is a unique flower with contrasting bright yellow and candy-apple red. They look striking in a bouquet on their own or paired with other bright summer annuals like zinnias, dahlias, and spiky ornamental grasses. 

Remember to surface sow the seeds and transplant them when they have several sets of true leaves when the soil can be worked. Space them at 6-12 inches. 

Float one of these in a cocktail at your next backyard barbeque to impress your guests. 

‘Magic Carpet Blend’

The ‘Magic Carpet Blend’ snapdragon variety offers petite, one-inch blooms in bold shades.

Perfect for petite bouquets, the ‘Magic Carpet Blend’ offers one-inch blooms in bold shades of white, yellow, pink, and red. Their short stems are perfect for a small space gardener or containers. 

‘Magic Carpet Blend’ flowers have the classic snapdragon look in a petite stature. Add these in the front of a cutting or pollinator garden, or design them in containers to adorn your patio.

Our community of flower farmers loves this variety for its great germination rate, ability to self-seed, and winter sowing performance. 

‘Rocket Mix’ 

This features sturdy stems and a variety of colorful blooms.

‘Rocket Mix’ is a main season staple for a cutting garden for its consistent germination, height, high-yielding blooms, and heat tolerance. The name is for its resemblance to the shape of a rocket: strong, round-ripped, and sturdy.

Colors ranging from white, pink, yellow, lavender, and shades of red put the finishing touch on bouquets and gardens of all styles.

The tip sometimes slightly bends, adding a whimsical and natural feel to an arrangement. They work well as a corsage.

‘Night and Day’

Sow ‘Night and Day’ seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost.

Pollinators adore snapdragons, and this variety is no exception. Bees flock to the deep tunnels of the multi-bloomed stems. ‘Night and Day’ features deep red flowers with a white throat.  

‘Night and Day’ is a dramatic shape-shifter; its foliage turns dark burgundy, almost black, when the fall weather cools. This adds immense contrast between the foliage and the white of the “dragon’s jaws.” Float the petals in a pitcher of lemonade for a statement. 

Sow seeds indoors eight to ten weeks before your last spring frost. Plant in full sun in cutting gardens, along borders, or among ornamental grasses. Snaps will bloom heaviest when the weather is cooler. 

‘Potomac™ Appleblossom’

Achieve fuller and taller ‘Potomac Appleblossom’ plants by pinching back seedlings for shorter stems.

‘Potomac™ Appleblossom’ features a white flower with a light pink center. For full-height snapdragon stems of 60 inches, refrain from pinching this variety at the seedling stage. For fuller plants with shorter stems, pinch them back and leave more space between them when transplanting.

Snaps should germinate within two weeks when kept at 70-75°F (21-24°C). Start them in a strip tray or 128-cell tray. 

Pro tip: Use a pair of tweezers for easy handling and sowing tiny snapdragon seeds.

‘Candelabra Rose’

Fertilize ‘Candelabra Rose’ plants lightly in spring with 12-6-6 slow-release feed.

‘Candelabra Rose’ will spread out to 10-16 inches wide, so space plants at 12-14 inches when transplanting. Its summer blooms are an impressive hot pink and will flower easily under shorter days. 

Fertilize lightly in the spring with a slow-release feed of 12-6-6 and water consistently, about an inch per week, if you receive no rainfall. Once blooming begins, no additional fertilization is necessary. 

Most growers don’t realize snapdragons are extremely cold hardy, especially when started early and hardened off properly. Once established, they can withstand freezing temperatures to 18°F (-8°C). 

‘Liberty Classic™ Mix’ 

The ‘Liberty Classic Mix’ should be transplanted 12-15 inches apart.

This mid-size snapdragon features consistent columns in bold white, yellow, pink, and red with sturdy, thick stem tops, the classic snapdragon look. 

Transplant ‘Liberty Classic™ Mix’ at 12-15 inches to give them space to bush out. 

Seeds should germinate in 10-21 days when kept at 55°F (13°C). 

‘Twinny Peach™’ 

This variety is beloved by hummingbirds for its colorful blooms and long-lasting flowers.

‘Twinny Peach™’ is low maintenance and perfect for patio containers for its compact growing habit. It has a unique blend of pink, light orange, and peach flowers, plus a long vase life. 

Hummingbirds especially love this variety for its wide bloom opening. ‘Twinny Peach™’ is extremely adaptable to weather, tolerating both heat and heavy rain. It is also an AAS winner! 

Space these out in the garden at 6-16 inches. No staking is needed. 

‘Avignon Pink’ 

The ‘Avignon Pink’ is a richer, softer pink alternative to ‘Costa Silver’.

If you love ‘Costa Silver’ but prefer something pink, ‘Avignon Pink’ is richer, not as pale, and the softest of pinks. 

Bred to perform on short days, this cool-weather-loving annual will signal the end of winter when added to a spring salad or mocktail. 

Pro tip: Plant them alongside other group 1 or 2 snapdragon options like any from the ‘Costa’ and ‘Maryland’ series. 

‘Bridal Pink’ 

Snapdragon ‘Bridal Pink’ displays diverse rose-colored blooms resembling watercolors.

‘Bridal Pink’ looks like a watercolor painting with rose-colored and pale pink blooms, some with white edges, each bloom different from the next. 

Plant stems are densely packed and bloom early. Fall plantings may bloom in early spring. 

Group 2 snapdragon production slows down in the heat and longer days of summer. Partial or afternoon shade is appreciated in especially hot climates.

‘Maryland Plumblossom’ 

The ‘Maryland Plumblosom’ is a bi-color flower resembling a bright purple candy.

This bi-color beauty resembles a bright purple candy in an old-fashioned wax wrapper, and I’m here for it. 

‘Maryland Plumblosom’ performs best where summer temperatures remain below 80°F (27°C). In warmer climates, blooming will return in the fall until the first frost. 

Native pollinators will adore this variety, but the deer will stay away. 

‘Maryland Lavender’

This long-stemmed lavender variety complements spring tulips and Easter bouquets.

‘Maryland Lavender’ has gorgeous, soft lavender spikes with exceptionally long stems. This variety is perfect to pair with spring-blooming tulips and soft Easter bouquets. 

This is a true cool-weather snapdragon, and summer production is not recommended. 

‘Orleans Early Lemon Yellow’

The ‘Orleans Early Lemon Yellow’ is a delightful pale yellow plant.

A perfectly pale, yet cheerful yellow option, ‘Orleans Early Lemon Yellow’ will keep you coming back for more. 

The plants are consistently high-yielding and strong-stemmed, the perfect variety for your summer cutting garden. 

Snaps are a great winter sowing option and can be started as early as January or February. 

‘Opus™ Early Bronze’

Harvest ‘Opus Early Bronze’ before pollination for optimal vase life.

Maturing a bit earlier than ‘Potomac Orange,’ which is similar but less bronzed, ‘Opus™ Early Bronze’ is fuller and offers more ruffles, elevating its status to premium. 

Blooms are a mix of orange, rose, and bronze, and their unopened buds boast a unique dusty rose.

Harvest before blooms have been pollinated for the best vase life. Pair with pale yellow sunflowers, goldenrod, or bright salvia and campanula. 

‘Opus™ Lavender’

The ‘Opus Lavender’ is ideal for summer cutting gardens and fence borders.

Slightly paler and more pinkish when compared to ‘Potomac Lavender’, ‘Opus™ Lavender’ is a consistently high performer, perfect for summer cutting gardens. 

Its height makes it a great option for fence borders or the back edge of a cottage garden. 

Pro tip: Surround your vegetable garden with a row of snaps to aid in pollination. 

‘Legend™ Light Pink’

Consider planting ‘Legend Light Pink’ snapdragons for a cool, early spring option.

Looking for a cool option for spring? This variety is cool, literally and figuratively, with its equally light and bright lavender-pale pink color and dense florets. 

‘Legend™ Light Pink’ is a true group 1 snapdragon, thriving in the cool weather of early spring and late fall. 

It will still produce in the summer. However, the stems and plants will be shorter. Consider cutting them back in hopes of a fall flush.

‘Monaco Orange’ 

This contrasts beautifully with blues and violets when paired with salvia.

This striking and deeply pigmented variety is an orangish coral that will complement your bright blues and violets. Plant them with salvia, cornflower, or clematis for contrast, or surround them with low-growing nasturtiums or calendula. 

‘Monaco Orange’ performs well in spring plantings and will be ready for harvest in early summer, about 5-10 days earlier than similar color options in the ‘Potomac’ series. 

Overwinter them in warmer regions or protected areas. Use the slightly bitter flowers sparingly to garnish salads, cocktails, or desserts. 

‘Cannes Light Bronze’

Snapdragon ‘Cannes Light Bronze’ blooms a few days ahead of ‘Potomac’ series varieties.

This variety boasts shades of cantaloupe, peach, and rose, a great addition to your peak summer annuals. She should start to bloom about five days before the ‘Potomac’ series varieties. 

‘Cannes Light Bronze’ was bred specifically to bridge the gap between spring and summer, and summer and fall. It can be overwintered, and in warmer regions, may survive as a perennial.

The ‘Aroma’ Series

This variety boasts a sweet scent with vibrant blooms like ‘Red Spice.’

While most snapdragons have a slightly peppery aroma or none at all, the ‘Aroma’ Series exudes a sweet scent and is offered in a few bold colors. Their blooms are single and plants grow upright and strong stems. 

The series features the red flowers of ‘Red Spice,’ white flowers of ‘French Vanilla,’ yellow flowers of ‘Fresh Lemon,’ and magenta flowers of ‘Magenta Mist,’ while ‘Peach Breeze’ offers a mix of pink, yellow, and salmon blooms. 

Final Thoughts

Snapdragons are lovely flowers available in various shades of colors, heights, shapes, and sizes. They’re easy to grow, attract pollinators, and edible to boot! 

Sow seeds indoors in the spring or give winter sowing a shot. Snaps, as they’re lovingly called, are very cold hardy. When you mix different groups in your garden, you’ll have a constant supply all season.