James H. Schutte
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Botanical Name
Angelonia
Plant Common Name
Angelonia, Narrowleaf Angelon, Summer Snapdragon
General Description
Everblooming colorful flowers and heat tolerance make garden variety summer snapdragons favored bedding plants. Angelonia comprises approximately 30 distinct species. All are native to the warm, moist regions of Mexico, Central and South America. They may be an annuals, perennials or semi-woody and shrubby with upright or creeping habits. Most are evergreen.
Angelonia stems are is lined with broad or narrowly linear leaves that are either smooth or hairy and sometimes fragrant. Leaf arrangement on the stem is either alternate or opposite. Spikes of snapdragon-like flowers appear at different times .year, depending on the species. The tubular blooms are two-lipped, sometimes lightly fragrant and often colorful. Colors include purple, pink, white and lavender. Some yellow-flowered species also exist. Bees frequent the blooms and the fruits are brown capsules that split to expel a multitude of seeds.
Most summer snapdragons grown today are hybrids or cultivars of angelon (Angelonia angustifolia). This tender perennial is native to Mexico and the islands of the West Indies and bears loose spikes of very showy, open, snapdragon-like flower continuously all season long. Unfortunately, it has escaped from cultivation and is considered weedy in tropical and subtropical areas such as the Pacific Islands.
Cultivated angelonia are both heat and drought tolerant. Culture and hardiness is species dependent, but most Angelonia prefer full sun and fertile to average soil with excellent drainage. Most are planted as summer annuals, but in very hot and humid locations, they are grown at all times of the year, though afternoon shade is recommended if planted in the hottest part of the year. Summer snapdragons are a must for beds, borders and containers. They are also suitable for cutting gardens because their blooms have a long vase life.
