Angelonia is one among my favourite easy-care flowers for summer season. I’ve had crops final for a number of seasons, even via robust Arizona summers. It’s a type of flowers I don’t have to consider as a result of it at all times appears to be like good. The blooms maintain coming, even when different flowers fade within the warmth.
Often known as summer season snapdragon, Angelonia is a stupendous, heat-tolerant plant that blooms reliably from late spring via fall. It’s a low-maintenance, long-blooming favourite that provides reliable colour to any sunny spot.
What You’ll Study in This Put up:
Search for the “Scorching Local weather Ideas” all through the publish for further suggestions when you dwell in a sizzling local weather
What Is Angelonia?
Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia), generally known as summer season snapdragon, is a warm-season annual or tender perennial that thrives in full solar and excessive temperatures. The upright flower spikes resemble snapdragons, however in contrast to true snapdragons, Angelonia loves the warmth.
These are sometimes known as summer season snapdragons, however when you’re trying to develop the basic snapdragons that desire cooler climate, take a look at my information on find out how to develop snapdragons.
It’s out there in a variety of colours—white, pink, purple, blue, and bicolors—and grows 12 to 24 inches tall relying on the range. The crops are self-cleaning (no deadheading!), appeal to pollinators, and resist deer and rabbits.
Angelonia might be grown as a perennial in frost-free areas or handled as an annual in different places.
When to Plant Angelonia
Plant Angelonia after the hazard of frost has handed and as soon as the soil has warmed. In most areas, that’s mid-spring via early summer season.
Cooler zones (6–8): Late April via early June
Heat zones (9–10): March via July
Quick rising season zones (3–5): After final frost; deal with as annual
Within the low desert (zones 9b–10a):Plant Angelonia from March via July as transplants. Keep away from planting throughout a heatwave. Earlier planting offers roots time to ascertain earlier than the most popular a part of summer season.
Ought to You Begin from Seeds or Transplants?
You may develop Angelonia from seed, however I normally choose up transplants as an alternative. The seeds are tiny, want mild to germinate, and take a few months to develop earlier than they’re able to plant out. Transplants are simple to search out in spring and begin blooming shortly, which makes them a better choice for many gardeners.
If you find yourself ranging from seed, let me know when you give it a strive. I haven’t began seeds for this one earlier than.
Angelonia doesn’t thoughts transplanting and shortly fills in after planting. Select wholesome nursery crops with sturdy stems and keep away from rootbound ones. (I gently pull out the plant and peek on the roots.)
Scorching Local weather TipNurseries in sizzling climates usually carry Angelonia as a spring and summer season bedding plant. Search for it close to different heat-tolerant choices like vinca.
Methods to Plant Angelonia
Add angelonia to containers, raised beds and even in-ground areas. Right here’s find out how to plant it:
Select a location with full solar (at the very least 6–8 hours every day).
Amend the soil if wanted for good drainage.
Dig a gap the identical depth as the basis ball and barely wider.
Gently take away from the container and loosen roots if circling.
Place within the gap, backfill, and water properly.
Spacing:
12–18 inches aside in beds
One plant per 10–12 inch pot or grouped in bigger containers
Optionally available: Pinch again the guidelines after planting to encourage bushier development. This could set the plant again for a number of weeks from blooming, however you do find yourself with a bushier plant.
Gentle, Soil, and Water Necessities
Angelonia loves the solar. I’ve discovered it at all times does finest in spots that get loads of direct daylight. Afternoon shade is sweet, however not completely crucial. If the plant is properly established, it tolerates afternoon solar.
Good drainage is essential. In case your soil tends to carry water, combine in compost to assist loosen it up. I’ve had nice success rising Angelonia in raised beds and containers crammed with the raised mattress combine from Arizona Worm Farm.
Hold the soil evenly moist, particularly proper after planting. As soon as the crops are established, I let the highest inch of soil dry out earlier than watering once more. Water on the base to maintain the leaves dry and keep away from any points.
Scorching Local weather TipAs summer season heats up, test containers every day. Angelonia can deal with warmth, however not drying out. A thick layer of mulch helps preserve moisture.
Fertilizer and Upkeep
I normally add a bit compost and worm castings once I plant Angelonia, and that’s usually sufficient to maintain it rising properly. In containers, I’ll feed the crops as soon as a month with a flower fertilizer in the event that they begin to look drained. Simply don’t overdo it; an excessive amount of nitrogen means extra leaves and fewer flowers.
Angelonia is low-maintenance. You don’t must deadhead it, which I like. The flowers simply maintain approaching their very own. If the crops turn into a bit leggy, I give them a fast trim. Chopping them again by a few third helps them bounce again with recent development and extra blooms.
Scorching Local weather TipHold off on slicing Angelonia again in the course of the hottest a part of the summer season. As soon as nighttime temperatures begin to drop, give the crops an excellent trim. This helps them bounce again with recent development and a stupendous flush of blooms within the fall.
They’re normally pest-free, however I maintain an eye fixed out for aphids or spider mites throughout actually dry stretches. A fast spray with the hose normally does the trick.
Can Angelonia Survive Winter?
Angelonia is frost-sensitive. In heat zones, it might return from the roots if not killed by freezing temperatures.
Scorching Local weather TipIf a freeze is anticipated, cowl your crops in a single day to guard them. Learn to do that right here:Methods to Defend Vegetation from Freezing Temperatures
Backyard Design Concepts and Companion Vegetation
Angelonia’s upright form and lengthy bloom time make it very easy to make use of in borders, beds, and containers.
Listed here are a couple of of my favourite methods to plant it:
Tuck it into the center of a flower mattress, with smaller crops in entrance
Use it because the “thriller” in a container backyard so as to add peak and colour
Plant a number of collectively in a sunny spot for a giant, colourful assertion
Nice companions embrace:
Rising Angelonia in Containers
Angelonia is a best choice for container gardening, particularly on sunny patios or balconies.
Container suggestions:
Use a pot at the very least 10–12 inches extensive
Guarantee it has drainage holes
Fill with high quality potting combine.
Fertilize month-to-month
Water ceaselessly in sizzling climate
Scorching Local weather TipTo assist with watering, I like so as to add an olla to my bigger containers. It slowly releases water proper on the roots, which retains the soil extra evenly moist. I exploit those from GrowOya, and so they work very well for warm, dry situations.
Study extra in: Container Gardening for Newcomers
Need Extra Warmth-Tolerant Flower Concepts?
Angelonia is one among many flowers that deal with summer season warmth. For extra inspiration, take a look at:
Remaining Ideas on Rising Angelonia
Angelonia is a standout performer in warm-season gardens. It thrives in full solar, handles warmth, and blooms constantly with little effort. It’s a dependable, colourful addition that deserves a spot in your backyard.
