Snapdragon 'Coronette Cherry' Antirrhinum majus 'Coronette Cherry' (Coronette Series)
ABOUT
Coronette Series are intermediate snapdragons, to 70cm, with dense, erect racemes. 'Coronette Cherry' has cherry red flowers in summer on sturdy, well-branched stems. Good for cutting
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Snapdragon, Dog's Mouth, Lion's Mouth, Toad's Mouth.
Common names
Antirrhinum majus
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
1-1.5 feet (30-45 centimeters)
Spread
1 foot (30 centimeters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and visual interest to gardens with its cherry-red flowers.
- Attracts Pollinators: Draws bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, aiding pollination.
- Easy to Grow: Low maintenance and suitable for novice gardeners.
- Versatility: Can be used in beds, borders, containers, and as cut flowers for indoor decoration.
- Long Blooming: Flowers from early summer until frost, providing long-lasting color.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, exhibits some level of drought resistance.
- Deer Resistant: Generally not preferred by deer, which helps to prevent damage to the plant.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Traditional Dye: The Snapdragon can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, utilizing the bright pigments found in its petals.
- Photography Subjects: Snapdragons are often used by photographers for macro photography due to their intricate flower structures and vibrant colors.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists may use Snapdragons as a muse for botanical drawings, paintings, or illustrations, capturing their unique form and bright hues.
- Educational Tool: Snapdragons can serve as a hands-on learning example for students studying botany or plant genetics, especially due to their interesting flower morphology.
- Children's Games: The "snap" feature of the Snapdragon flowers can entertain children, who may enjoy making the flower "talk" by gently squeezing the sides of the blooms.
- Culinary Garnish: Though not commonly known for their taste, Snapdragon flowers can be used as an edible garnish to add a pop of color to salads or desserts.
- Craft Projects: Dried Snapdragon blooms can be incorporated into craft projects, such as pressed flower art or creating natural potpourri.
- Storytelling Elements: Due to their unique morphology, Snapdragons can be featured in stories or fairy tales, often given magical or symbolic properties.
- Decorative Displays: Snapdragons can be used in dried floral arrangements or wreaths, particularly popular in the fall when their hues match seasonal themes.
- Living Fences: Taller Snapdragon varieties, when planted in tight rows, can form a colorful living fence or floral border in gardens and landscapes.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Snapdragons are not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Snapdragons are not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Deception or graciousness: Due to its closed mouth-like blossoms, which require pressure to open and "snap" close, snapdragons symbolize the duality of both deception and graciousness.
- Strength: Snapdragons are seen as a symbol of strength due to their tall, sturdy stalks.
- Protection: In the past, snapdragons were thought to offer protection from falsehood, and they were planted in gardens to guard against theft.
- Resilience: Snapdragons can thrive in rocky, challenging environments, making them a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
- Water
Snapdragons, such as the 'Coronette Cherry', prefer to be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Water the plant thoroughly until excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot, which might amount to approximately one gallon for a larger container every week during active growth, although this can vary depending on the size of the plant and environmental conditions. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant. During hotter months, you may need to water more frequently, while in cooler or rainy periods, watering can be less frequent. Consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil promotes healthy growth and flowering.
- Light
For 'Coronette Cherry' snapdragons, full sun is ideal, which is at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. They can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may not be as prolific. The best spot for the plant is an area that receives morning sunlight and has some protection from intense afternoon sun, which can be harsh especially in the hotter zones.
- Temperature
Snapdragons like 'Coronette Cherry' prefer cooler temperatures and can generally tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive light frosts, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can damage or kill the plant. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is within the range of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pruning
Pruning 'Coronette Cherry' snapdragons is important to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, should be done regularly to promote continuous flowering. Cutting back the plant by one-third after the first flush of flowers can also stimulate a second bloom period. The best time for larger pruning efforts is after the main flowering peak, usually in the mid-summer.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Snapdragon 'Coronette Cherry' thrives in well-draining soil with rich organic matter. A mix containing equal parts potting soil, peat, and perlite or sand would be ideal. The optimal soil pH for Snapdragons is slightly acidic to neutral, around pH 6.2 to 7.0.
- Repotting
Snapdragons such as 'Coronette Cherry' generally do not need frequent repotting. They are often grown as annuals, but if kept as perennials, repot every 1-2 years or when the plant outgrows its current container.
- Humidity & Misting
Snapdragon 'Coronette Cherry' prefers moderate humidity levels. It does well in average room humidity but should be protected from extremely dry air or prolonged periods of high humidity.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place Snapdragons in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
In full sun to part shade, water regularly, and protect from harsh wind.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
- Life cycle
Snapdragon 'Coronette Cherry' begins its life with seed germination, preferring cooler temperatures to activate growth. The seedlings emerge and develop true leaves, requiring adequate light and water to establish a strong root system. Throughout the vegetative stage, the plants grow stems and foliage, eventually producing characteristic colorful cherry-red flowers typically in late spring to summer, attracting pollinators for reproduction. Following pollination, the flowers develop into fruit capsules containing seeds. As the growing season ends, the snapdragon completes its cycle either as an annual, dying after seed dispersal, or as a short-lived perennial in some climates, potentially entering dormancy before regrowing the following spring. Careful deadheading can prolong flowering, but eventually, the plant will complete its reproductive process and the cycle will begin anew with the spread of seeds.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to Summer
Antirrhinum majus 'Coronette Cherry', commonly known as Snapdragon, is typically propagated by seed. The most popular method for propagating Snapdragons is through sowing the seeds. To do so, seeds should be sown indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Using a well-draining soil mix, sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface and gently press them into the soil, as they need light to germinate. They are not covered with soil. Maintain a soil temperature of about 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius) and keep the soil moist. Germination usually occurs within 10 to 20 days. After the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves and there's no more risk of frost, they can be transplanted outdoors.