Antirrhinum majus Pretty in Pink

The Antirrhinum majus 'Pretty in Pink' is a new variety of snapdragon that is particularly floriferous, adorned during a very long summer to autumn period with many delicate flower spikes, forming a cloud of lilac pink colour—a rather unusual shade for snapdragons, ideal in a country or romantic setting. In addition to its ornamental qualities, it is also a perennial plant in well-drained soil, resistant to diseases and water. Excellent in rock gardens, gravel beds, and borders, this relatively compact variety, like the Bowles' Mauve wallflower with which it forms a beautiful duo, also makes a great impact in a large container.

Known in gardens since 1583, the Antirrhinum majus was a privileged guest in monastery and priest gardens. This plant, from the Scrophulariaceae family, is native to the western Mediterranean basin, where it grows among rocks on arid slopes in the south of France. There are even plants rooted in the mortar of old walls protecting the gardens. Contrary to popular belief, wild snapdragon species, as well as certain varieties, are perfectly perennial if given poor, sandy, rocky soil in full sun, sheltered from cold winds.

The 'Pretty in Pink' cultivar is a recent British selection that won the Bronze Medal at the Garden Trials & Trade in 2018 in the Netherlands. It stands out for the abundance, size, elongated shape, and rare colour of its flowers. This bushy perennial, with a relatively short lifespan, forms a clump averaging 60 cm (24in) in height and 40 cm (16in) in width in the year following planting. Its upright, simple or branched stems are covered with opposite or alternate, lanceolate or lanceolate-linear, entire, glossy leaves of a beautiful, deep green colour. These leaves will remain on the plant if the winter is not too severe. The flowering period spans from May-June to September-October until the first frost. 'Pretty in Pink' produces solid spikes bearing large tubular flowers in a slightly mauve pink colour, opening to a small pale yellow to white base. They are very popular with bumblebees and butterflies. Snapdragons readily self-seed in the garden in light soil but are not always true to the parent plant.

Snapdragons are part of our childhood memories. With their velvety little snouts that emit a fragrance when you bury your nose in the flowers, they are plants accessible to all gardeners and easy to grow in borders, beds, or rock gardens. In cooler climates and heavy soil, treat them as annuals, which matters little considering their generosity. Large varieties like 'Pretty in Pink' are perfect for cut flowers, wild gardens, flowering pots, or cottage gardens. For example, pair them with love-in-a-mist, perennial flax, and valerians (Centranthus ruber). Their flower spikes are well highlighted when emerging among bushy perennials (fennel, cineraria maritima, aster cordifolius, lavender) or understory shrubs in subtle colours (ground cover roses, cotton lavenders, mugworts, euphorbias, Thymus hirsutus). To prolong their flowering, snapdragons should have their faded flowers regularly removed once the plant is established. The plant gets its vernacular name from the shape of its flowers, which resemble mouths when pinched.