Snapdragon Antirrhinum 'Chimes Bronze' (Chimes Series)
ABOUT
The Antirrhinum 'Chimes Bronze', commonly known as the Snapdragon from the Chimes Series, is a striking flowering plant known for its unique blossoms. Its flowers have a distinctive appearance that somewhat resembles a dragon's mouth, which is where Snapdragons get their common name. The blooms of the Chimes Bronze variety are a captivating blend of warm bronze and orange hues, adding a vibrant yet sophisticated touch to any garden display. The petals have a velvety texture and are densely packed along the upright flower spikes, creating an eye-catching display. These Snapdragon flowers open from the bottom to the top of the spike, ensuring a long-lasting floral show as new blooms continue to emerge over time. The foliage is a lush green with lance-shaped leaves that complement the vivid color of the flowers, offering a lush backdrop for the rich bronze tones. The Chimes Bronze Snapdragons are loved for their charming aesthetic and are often grown in clusters, presenting a bold mass of color that can invigorate garden beds, borders, and decorative containers. They are not only admired for their visual appeal but are also popular for cut flower arrangements, bringing the warmth of their bronze-orange petals indoors.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Snapdragon, Dragon Flower
Common names
Antirrhinum majus 'Chimes Bronze'
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Snapdragon, including the variety Antirrhinum 'Chimes Bronze', is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, if ingested in large quantities, it can potentially cause mild stomach upset. Symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is generally advisable to avoid eating any parts of ornamental plants due to potential adverse effects.
To pets
Snapdragon, including Antirrhinum 'Chimes Bronze', is generally not considered toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats. If a pet ingests a large amount of the plant, they may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, which could include symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. Nevertheless, it is always best to prevent pets from eating plants to avoid any potential health issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Bronze
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Easy to grow: Antirrhinum, commonly known as snapdragon, is considered easy to care for and can be grown by gardeners of all experience levels.
- Attracts pollinators: Snapdragons attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting a healthy and thriving garden ecosystem.
- Colorful blooms: The Chimes Bronze variety offers a unique bronze color that adds a warm and appealing aesthetic to garden displays or floral arrangements.
- Long flowering period: Snapdragons typically have a long blooming season, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended period.
- Versatile use: They can be planted in flower beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets, making them suitable for various garden designs and styles.
- Cut flower potential: The stems of snapdragons are sturdy and their blooms long-lasting when cut, making them excellent for bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Seasonal interest: Snapdragons are cool-season flowers, offering garden color in early spring and fall when many other plants are not in bloom.
- Compact growth: The Chimes Series is known for its compact growth habit, making it an ideal choice for smaller spaces or as a front border plant.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Prop: With their unique bronze color, snapdragons can create a striking contrast in floral photography and provide a vintage feel to photo compositions.
- Educational Tool: Biology teachers can use snapdragons to demonstrate principles of genetics and heredity due to their easily observable Mendelian inheritance patterns.
- Artistic Muse: Their whimsical shape can inspire artists and craftspeople, leading to botanical illustrations or snapdragon motifs in jewelry and textile designs.
- Homemade Potpourri: Dried snapdragon flowers can contribute both color and subtle fragrance to homemade potpourri mixtures.
- Fairy Gardens: Snapdragons are well-suited for adding height and a touch of whimsy to miniature fairy garden landscapes.
- Culinary Garnish: While not widely known for culinary uses, colorful snapdragon petals can add an edible decorative touch to salads and desserts.
- Watercolor Dye: The pigments from snapdragon petals can be used in creating natural watercolor paints for artists seeking organic and unconventional materials.
- Craft Projects: The blooms can be used in crafting projects like creating custom bookmarks or pressed flower art pieces.
- Nature Crafts: Children can use the dragon-shaped blooms to create "snapdragon puppets," a fun and imaginative nature-based craft activity.
- Greeting Cards: Pressed snapdragon flowers can beautifully embellish handcrafted greeting cards or invitations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Snapdragons is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Snapdragons is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Deception or Graciousness: Often referred to as the "Snapdragon," this plant's unique flower shape can be likened to a dragon's mouth, which when squeezed, appears to open and close like a dragon's mouth would do. Hence, it symbolizes both the potential for deception, as well as larger than life graciousness or friendliness, similar to a dragon's dual nature in myth.
- Strength: As the Snapdragon can grow and thrive in rocky areas, it is often seen as a symbol of strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenging conditions.
- Protection: Historic lore suggests that Snapdragons were thought to offer protection from deceit and curses when planted in gardens or carried as a talisman.
- Desire: With its vividly colored blooms and alluring appearance, Snapdragons may also be associated with the idea of desire and fascination.
WaterSnapdragons, such as the Chimes Bronze variety, should be watered regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water thoroughly once a week with about one inch of water, which equates to roughly 0.6 gallons per square foot. It is essential to avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases, so water at the base of the plant early in the day. During periods of drought or extreme heat, increase the frequency to twice a week, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the soil. Always adjust watering based on rainfall and check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering again.
LightSnapdragons like Chimes Bronze thrive in full sun to partial shade. They perform best in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If you are planting in a hot climate, a spot that offers some afternoon shade will help protect the snapdragons from intense heat. Avoid heavily shaded areas as this can reduce flowering and make the plants more susceptible to disease.
TemperatureSnapdragons such as Chimes Bronze prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frosts. They thrive in temperatures between 40 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Although snapdragons can survive a minimum temperature as low as about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, prolonged exposure to cold below freezing can damage or kill the plants. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is within the 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit range.
PruningPruning snapdragons, including Chimes Bronze, encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch the tips of young plants to stimulate branching. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. After the first flush of flowers fades, cut the plants back by one-third to encourage a second wave of blooms. The best time to prune snapdragons is when they have significant areas of spent flowers or right after the initial flowering peak.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSnapdragons prefer well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix incorporating equal parts loam, peat, and perlite or sand can be ideal. They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil, with an optimal pH range of 6.2 to 7.0.
RepottingSnapdragons typically do not require frequent repotting and can be sown directly into the garden. If grown in containers, repot annually in spring as they start to outgrow their current pot or show signs of being root-bound.
Humidity & MistingSnapdragons handle average humidity well and do not require specific humidity levels. Ensuring good air circulation around the plants will help prevent disease in conditions of higher humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temps, and good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun with well-draining soil and space for airflow.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleThe Snapdragon 'Chimes Bronze' starts its life as a seed, typically sown indoors 6-10 weeks before the last expected frost date to get a head start on the growing season. When seedlings emerge and temperatures warm, they are transplanted outdoors where they grow into compact, bushy plants, usually reaching 6 to 8 inches tall. Throughout the spring into the summer, Snapdragons produce vibrant bronze-colored flowers that are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. During this bloom period, which can last until fall, deadheading (removal of spent flowers) encourages further flowering. As temperatures drop in late autumn, Snapdragon 'Chimes Bronze' plants begin to decline, and, being annuals or short-lived perennials in some climates, they complete their life cycle by setting seed for future generations before succumbing to frost. If not allowed to die back naturally, they can be cleared away after the first killing frost and then sown anew the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagating Snapdragons, which includes Antirrhinum 'Chimes Bronze' from the Chimes Series, is through seed. To successfully propagate Snapdragons via seed, the process should commence in late winter to early spring. Start by sowing seeds shallowly in a tray filled with a well-draining seed starting mix, ensuring good contact between seeds and soil. The seeds need light to germinate so they should not be covered with soil but may be gently pressed into the surface. Place the tray in a well-lit area and keep the soil moist. At a temperature of around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius), germination should occur within 7 to 14 days. Once seedlings develop true leaves and are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden after the risk of frost has passed.
