Where to Find and Purchase Beautiful Snapdragon Flowers

Snapdragon flowers are a beloved garden flower that add vibrant color and interest to any outdoor space. With their showy ruffled blooms on tall stalks, snapdragons are an excellent choice for borders, beds containers, and cutting gardens. If you are looking to add snapdragons to your garden or landscape, you may be wondering where you can find and buy these delightful flowers. In this article, we will explore the best places to purchase snapdragon plants and seeds so you can enjoy their beauty in your own yard.

What are Snapdragon Flowers?

Before we dive into the where and how of buying snapdragons, let’s take a moment to appreciate what exactly snapdragon flowers are. Snapdragon, whose botanical name is Antirrhinum majus, is a tender perennial often grown as an annual flowering plant. Native to parts of Europe, snapdragons have been popular garden flowers since the Victorian era.

These plants produce tall spikes lined with flowers that resemble tiny dragon mouths, hence their common name The flowers come in a rainbow of colors including red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, white, and bicolors Dwarf varieties grow 6-12 inches tall while larger types can reach 3 feet in height. Snapdragon blooms appear in spring, summer, and fall depending on your climate and when they are planted.

In addition to being beautiful in beds and borders snapdragons make excellent cut flowers with their long vase life. They also attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Snapdragons come in a wide variety of species and cultivars to choose from.

Purchase Snapdragon Plants at Nurseries and Garden Centers

The most direct way to add snapdragons to your garden is to purchase established plants from a reputable nursery or garden center. Looking at the live plants in person allows you to see their health, size, and bloom colors before buying. Here are some top places to find and buy snapdragon plants:

Local Independent Nurseries – Check out small, local nurseries in your area to find a great selection of snapdragon varieties suitable for your region. These independent businesses often grow their own stock or source from small specialty growers. This allows them to offer unique and hard-to-find snapdragon varieties that the big box stores may not carry.

Farmer’s Markets – Many cities and towns host weekly farmer’s markets during the spring and summer. Local nurseries and growers will often set up booths offering annuals like snapdragons. At a farmer’s market, you can get expert advice as you shop for plants.

Public Gardens – University research gardens, botanical gardens, and arboretums frequently have annual plant sales where you may find snapdragons. These are great places to get uncommon or native snapdragon species.

Big Box Stores – While the selection is more limited, large home improvement chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s do carry snapdragon plants during spring and summer. This can be a convenient option if you just need a few basic snapdragons and want to buy them alongside other garden supplies.

Online Nurseries – There are now many reputable online nurseries that ship healthy live plants nationwide. Ordering online allows you access to unique snapdragon varieties you may not find locally. Make sure to order early in the season before plants sell out.

Wherever you buy snapdragon plants, look for ones with healthy green foliage and no signs of pests or disease. Give preference to stocky plants with large buds over any that are leggy or flowering heavily. This indicates the plants are still young with their best blooms ahead.

Purchase Snapdragon Seeds to Grow Your Own

Part of the fun of gardening is growing flowers like snapdragons from seed. Starting your own plants from seed allows you to try unique snapdragon cultivars, choose plants best suited for your growing conditions, and save money. Here are some options for purchasing snapdragon seeds:

**Seed Catalogs **- Quality heirloom seed companies like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Burpee offer various snapdragon seeds. Browse their catalogs or websites to find both common and rare snapdragon varieties. Mail order seed catalogs remain a top source for passionate home gardeners.

Seed Racks at Nurseries – Most independent nurseries and garden centers that sell plants also offer seed racks stocked with snapdragon seed packets. Look for varieties labeled for your USDA Hardiness Zone.

Big Box Store Garden Centers – Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s have seeds for sale in the garden center during spring. For snapdragons, they typically carry a basic mix of common colors.

Online Seed Shops – There are now many online stores that sell all kinds of flower and vegetable seeds at affordable prices. Consider ordering snapdragon seeds that may not be available locally.

Seed Swaps – If you belong to any local gardening clubs or organizations, check for upcoming seed swap events. These allow gardeners to trade seeds like snapdragons and preserve rare varieties.

When purchasing snapdragon seeds, pay attention to the plant height, bloom colors, bloom season, and any special traits like fragrance. Make sure the variety you choose is suitable for growing in your particular Hardiness Zone.

Starting snapdragon seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date will yield transplant-ready plants to move outside once weather permits. Provide ample light, warmth, moisture and ventilation for the best results.

Tips for Successfully Growing Snapdragon Flowers

Once you have purchased your snapdragon plants or seeds, a few simple tips will help ensure success:

• Plant in full sun – Snapdragons thrive in locations with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. This encourages the most prolific flowering.

• Choose well-draining soil – Snapdragons do best in slightly sandy, well-draining soil amended with compost. Wet, heavy soils can cause root rot.

• Avoid frost – Snapdragons cannot tolerate any frost or freezing temps. Plant after your last expected spring frost date.

• Water regularly – Keep soils moist, but not saturated. Consistent watering produces stronger plants and more blooms.

• Stake tall varieties – Use stakes or trellises to support taller snapdragon varieties and prevent them from flopping over.

• Deadhead spent blooms – Removing spent flowers encourages plants to produce more blooms over a longer period.

• Watch for pests – Aphids, thrips, and whiteflies may attack snapdragons. Monitor for insects and use organic methods if needed.

With the proper care, the snapdragons you buy will reward you with vivid, lasting color in your garden for months on end. Their tall spires and fabulous flowers make snapdragons an excellent choice for beds, borders, containers, and cutting gardens.

Buy Gorgeous Cut Snapdragon Stems for Bouquets

In additional to purchasing live plants and seeds, you can also buy fresh cut snapdragon stems to instantly enjoy their beauty. Cut snapdragons make fantastic additions to floral bouquets, centerpieces, and other arrangements. Here are some sources to find quality cut snapdragons:

• Flower shops – Many florists and flower shops sell popular cut flowers like snapdragons individually or in mixed bouquets. This allows you to hand select the freshest stems.

• Farmer’s markets – Local flower farmers who sell at farmer’s markets often offer mixed bouquets or buckets of single stem flowers like snapdragons.

• Flower CSAs – Join a flower CSA (community supported agriculture) program to receive a weekly or monthly bouquet with seasonal blooms like snapdragons.

• Online flower shops – Nationwide shipping allows online stores like Bouqs, UrbanStems, and Farmgirl Flowers to deliver cut snapdragon stems straight to your door.

• Wholesale flower markets – Some cities have wholesale flower markets open to the public on certain days. These allow you to buy flowers like snapdragons at bulk prices.

When buying cut snapdragons, examine the stems to ensure they are firm, upright, and free of mold or damage. Avoid any bouquets where the snapdragons lookdroopy, discolored, or wilted. Proper post-harvest care will extend the vase life of your cut snapdragons at home.