Night & Day Snapdragon is a stunning compact cultivar bred by Frank Morton at Wild Garden Seed, named for its dramatic color contrast: midnight burgundy outer petals deepening to rich red at the bloom's lips, set against a pristine white throat. Growing 18 inches tall with an 18-inch spread, this variety reaches flowering size in 80 to 90 days and thrives in full sun. Its striking appearance and exceptional cut-flower qualities make it a standout addition to cottage gardens and cutting arrangements.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-10
18in H x 12in W
—
High
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The real heart of this variety is its bold color blocking: deep burgundy-red petals frame a luminous white throat, creating an almost theatrical night-and-day effect that catches light beautifully in fresh bouquets. Frank Morton's breeding work produced a genuinely compact plant rather than a dwarf, keeping flowers at an accessible height for cutting while maintaining the dramatic presence of full-size snapdragons. Every bloom reads as bold and architectural, refusing to fade into the garden background.
Night & Day Snapdragon excels as a cut flower, bringing theatrical color contrast to fresh bouquets and arrangements. Its compact 18-inch height and sturdy stems make it well-suited to cottage garden displays, mixed borders, and as a focal point in small garden spaces where dramatic color impact is desired.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Snapdragon seeds require light to germinate; sow them on the surface of moist seed-starting mix, press gently to firm contact, and do not cover. Maintain a temperature around 65 to 70°F and provide consistent moisture. Seedlings will emerge in 7 to 14 days.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Transplant outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 12 inches apart, ensuring full sun exposure. Water gently after transplanting to settle soil around roots.
Cut flowers in early morning when stems are turgid and at least three-quarters of the flowers on the spike have opened. Strip lower leaves from the stem to prevent rot in the vase. Night & Day Snapdragon cut flowers typically last 7 to 10 days in a vase with fresh water changed every few days.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly by pinching off faded blooms just below the flower head. This encourages the plant to produce more lateral branches and extends the overall bloom period. As the plant matures, you can pinch back growing tips when seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall to encourage a fuller, bushier form.
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“Night & Day Snapdragon emerged from Frank Morton's breeding program at Wild Garden Seed, a renowned source of distinctive, garden-worthy flower cultivars. Morton's work focused on creating snapdragons with genuine garden character and cutting appeal, resulting in this variety that delivers both striking visual contrast and practical compact size for home gardeners and florists alike.”