Snapdragon Potomac Orange

We do not recommend sowing Potomac snapdragons directly into the garden bed. It is best to start the seedlings indoors or in a greenhouse, which takes about 4–6 weeks. You can begin sowing the seeds anytime from January through summer.

Because the Potomac variety belongs to the late group (group 3–4), it tolerates higher summer temperatures very well and is therefore absolutely ideal for succession sowing. Thanks to this, it will bloom beautifully for you throughout the entire season.

Snapdragon seeds are very tiny, so sowing them is a bit of a delicate task. It is important not to cover the seeds, neither with substrate nor vermiculite, because they absolutely require light to germinate. Always sow them directly on the surface.

Until the seedlings have grown a bit, water exclusively from below (by soaking from a tray) or use only a very gentle mist to avoid washing them away. At an ideal temperature of 18–22 °C, the seeds will germinate in about 4–12 days.

Fungal diseases, such as rust or mildew, most often occur due to poor air circulation and excessive moisture on the leaves.

To reliably prevent them, plant at a spacing of at least 15 × 15 cm and never water from above over the leaves. Always direct the water carefully only to the base of the plant, directly to the roots.

The most common insect pests that attract Snapdragons in the garden are aphids, thrips, and spider mites.

As for diseases, you may have to deal with unpleasant fungal infections, typically snapdragon rust, powdery mildew, or grey mold (Botrytis cinerea). The key to prevention is providing sufficient space between seedlings and using the correct watering technique.

Yes, Snapdragons will very readily self-seed in a sunny, well-draining spot.

If you allow the seed pods to fully ripen on some plants in the autumn, you will very likely find new small seedlings in the surrounding area in the spring. However, keep in mind that with modern cultivars, this next generation may already differ slightly in color shade and height.

Yes, the Potomac series is practically made for cutting! It has very long, robust stems that last a really long time in a vase.

Flowers in beautiful shades of orange, antique rose, and coral will grace any summer bouquet. Unfortunately, these flowers are not suitable for drying, as they would lose their charm and color.

The Czech name 'hledík' is closely related to the shape of the flower, which strongly resembles an animal's snout (in English, it is aptly called 'Snapdragon').

When you gently squeeze the sides of the flower, the 'mouth' opens, which often fascinates and amuses children. Another curiosity is that after flowering, the dried seed pods look like bizarre little skulls.

Yes, they love to! Snapdragons actively attract bees, bumblebees, and other beneficial pollinators, for whom they are an excellent source of food thanks to their nectar.

In addition, they also have a fairly pleasant and subtle scent, so they will support diverse life in your garden and bring you joy as well.

You don't need to worry at all; Snapdragons are not toxic to people, dogs, or cats.

They are even classified as edible plants. You can safely and effectively use their beautifully colored flowers to garnish summer salads, cakes, or various desserts for guests.

This popular variety usually blooms in an outdoor garden bed from June to September (in a polytunnel, it can bloom until November). It belongs to the late-flowering group of Snapdragons (groups 3 and 4).

Unlike many early varieties, it thrives in higher summer temperatures and during long, sunny days, when other varieties may easily struggle.

Snapdragons from this series love full and direct sunlight. In a shady spot, they would stretch unattractively toward the light and bloom poorly.

Ideal soil for them is humus-rich, permeable, and rather loamy. Before planting, we strongly recommend incorporating some well-matured compost into the bed, which will provide them with the much-needed nutrients for a good start.