Antirrhinum majus

Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majus
Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain family)

What We're Growing:
We grow snapdragons in a wide range of colors — from soft blush to deep burgundy — for their spires of blooms and whimsical form. They are among the longest-lasting cut flowers in the garden.

How We Use It:
Snapdragon flowers are edible and used sparingly as floral garnishes. While their flavor is mild and slightly bitter, their visual impact is stunning. In herbal traditions, they’ve also been used in poultices and gentle washes.

Why They’re Good for You:
Snapdragons are not widely used internally today, but in folk herbalism, they were applied topically for minor skin inflammation, burns, and hemorrhoids. Their cooling and mildly astringent nature made them a gentle, external remedy.

In the garden, snapdragons contribute to biodiversity and attract pollinators — especially bumblebees, which are strong enough to open the dragon-shaped flowers and access the nectar inside.

In the Garden:
Snapdragons prefer full sun and cool weather. They often bloom early in spring and again in fall, especially when deadheaded regularly. Taller varieties benefit from staking, and many will self-seed.

Fun Fact:
In medieval Europe, snapdragons were pressed into poultices to calm irritated skin and were sometimes planted near doorways to ward off bad energy and illness.