Snapdragons!For a carousel of summer color or smoldering autumn blooms-consider the snapdragon.
Over the decades, the snapdragon has undergone a series of facelifts. The current version has longer, more tapering spikes, shatter-resistant florets and sturdier stems. And, they are available from California in tones of white, pink, purple, yellow, red, and orange. Recently, the snapdragon has found a new niche in home interiors. With tall, full spikes that continue to open new florets, this flower can make a colorful splash in fuchsia, lemon yellow, wine red or bronze, to mention a few. "I like to emphasize the brilliant color of snapdragons by displaying several stems alone or with a complementary filler," says CCFC's education team member Jill Slater, of San Francisco. "They look marvelous in a vase alone or with a few stems of bear grass or Bells of Ireland." New subtler tones-lavender, salmon, and coral-work well in designs that emphasize the harmonious blending of color. Rusty peach 'Burnt Orange' combined with the orange ' Chelsea ' sweetheart rose is a combination suggested by Keith White AIFD. | Snapdragons move easily from weddings to English garden baskets to ultra-sophisticated designs. This line flower also makes an outstanding mass flower if the stems are cut short. More surprises are in store-new colors are waiting in the wings and growers are experimenting with a new open-faced snapdragon. There are no memorable poems about the snapdragon, nor priceless paintings by a tortured artist. Still this flower has created a niche of its own in the everyday life of consumers. Common name: Snapdragon |


The brilliantly colored spikes and light, spicy fragrance of the snapdragon, evoke memories of summers past. But time has not stood still for this flower. This industry staple is evolving into a modern floral diva.