How to grow Angelonia- a Heavenly Summer Bloomer
Angelonia is another one of those plants that had been around a while without any fanfare until breeders began to work with them and produced several new and improved hybrids. Now angelonia, sometimes called summer snapdragons, is the perfect plant for those who have hot, humid summers and want something light and delicate for borders and baskets. It will bloom all summer with little attention from the gardener.
Angelonia angustifolia and recent hybrids with angelonia integerrima are tender perennials that originally came from South America. They have narrow, toothed leaves and small, 1 inch wide flowers in shades of blue, lavender, pink and white. Angelonia flowers look like relaxed snapdragons, with open throats. They have a slight, fruity scent. Angelonia is hardy in zones 8 and above, but is killed by the first hint of frost in the north.
Growing angelonia
Until recently there were no angelonia seeds available to gardeners, and plants were usually propagated by cuttings in the greenhouse because seed germination was slow and unreliable. Now there is one variety of angelonia on the market that gardeners can start at home from seed- the Serena series. The seed needs warmth and light for germination.
Start angelonia seed 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost. Press angelonia seed down on moist seed starting medium and don’t cover. Keep temperatures above 70 degrees and plants should germinate in about 2 weeks. Angelonia seed is still expensive and most gardeners will want to start with plants.
Angelonia likes moist, but well drained soil, and full sun. It thrives in hot, sunny areas. Angelonia is moderately drought resistant, but don’t let it go too long before watering One of the nice things about angelonia is that it doesn’t require deadheading to bloom almost continuously through the summer. If it does seem to be looking a little lanky cut it back by about half to promote branching and a new flush of bloom. Give angelonia some extended release fertilizer at planting and again two months later if your growing season is long. Angelonia has few insect or disease problems.
Angelonia grows about 2 foot high and makes a loose, bushy plant about a foot wide. Space plants for bedding color about 8 inches apart and they will remain more upright.
Newer varieties of angelonia don’t require staking, but may benefit from a light pinching now and then to promote bushiness.
If you are a gardener in zone 7 and lower, you can over-winter your favorite angelonia plant inside. Pot it up and move the pot inside to a warm, sunny area well before cool weather sets in. As the days get shorter angelonia will stop blooming and should be cut back to about half. Keep it in the warmest, sunniest place you have and let the pot dry between watering, but don‘t let it get too dry. As the days get longer, about March, fertilize it and water more frequently. Angelonia will bloom inside if it gets enough light. Do not put it outside again until the nights are warm and there is no danger of frost. Angelonia roots fairly easily from tip cuttings and you may want to start more plants about 6 weeks before your last frost.
Choosing varieties
The Angelmist series is probably the most well known variety of angelonia, with the seed grown Serena series a close second. Many new varieties are being developed. Angelonia has several wonderful shades of blue, lovely lilacs and pinks, and even white. Many flowers are bi-color, with the throats being marked with another color for a lovely effect.
Using Angelonia
Angelonia is a great bedding plant for masses of soft color. It is also good in containers and hanging baskets. Angelonia also makes a good cut flower.
Previously published in Garden and Hearth
Copyright Kim Willis 2007