Bronze Dragon Snapdragon is a stunning heirloom variety of Antirrhinum majus that combines ornamental drama with unexpected edibility. Dark, burnished bronze foliage sets the stage for elegant flower heads in shades of pink and white that rise like flames toward the sky. This compact cultivar reaches just 12 to 16 inches tall, making it equally at home in borders, containers, and cutting vases. Expect blooms in 100 to 120 days from seed, and you'll find it thrives across hardiness zones 3 through 10.
—
Moderate
3-10
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The burnished bronze foliage alone makes this snapdragon a showstopper, but the pink and white flowers that emerge create an almost theatrical contrast against those opulent dark leaves. Its compact, tidy growth habit means you can tuck it into tight spaces, containers, or use it as a cut flower that holds its elegance in a vase for days. The fact that it's edible adds an unexpected layer of intrigue to an already ornamental treasure.
Bronze Dragon Snapdragon serves primarily as an ornamental, both for garden display and as a cut flower. Its compact size makes it especially useful for container gardening and border plantings where you want height without sprawl. The edible flowers can be used as a garnish, though the primary appeal is visual; the dark foliage and pink-white blooms create striking color combinations in floral arrangements or garden designs.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Press seeds onto moist soil at a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit; snapdragon seeds need light to germinate, so do not cover them with soil. Keep the seedbed moist but not waterlogged, and you should see germination within 7 to 10 days. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge.
Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves and nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees, harden off plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Transplant into the garden or containers after the last frost date. Space plants 12 to 16 inches apart to accommodate their compact mature size.
You can direct sow seeds in the garden after the last frost date, pressing them gently onto prepared soil. Keep the seed bed consistently moist until germination occurs. This method works best in zones 8 and warmer where frost is not a concern after sowing.
For cut flowers, harvest spikes when the bottom flowers are fully open and the upper buds are just beginning to show color. Cut early in the morning when stems are most turgid. For edible flowers, harvest individual blooms when fully open and use immediately or store briefly in a cool place. Snapdragon flowers are most delicate when freshly opened.
Deadhead faded flower spikes regularly to encourage continuous blooming and maintain the neat, compact habit. Pinching off the growing tip when plants are 6 inches tall can promote a bushier, fuller form with more flowering stems.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.