Bicolor Snapdragon
Night and Day Snapdragon is a compact heirloom cultivar that brings drama to spring through fall gardens across zones 3-10. Reaching just 18 inches tall with a tidy 10-inch spread, this dwarf snapdragon produces abundant blooms over 84-98 days from seed, making it one of the faster routes to flowers in the garden. Its deer-resistant nature and pollinator magnetism make it equally valuable for wildlife-friendly spaces, while its edible flowers add an unexpected garnish to the table.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-10
18in H x 10in W
Annual
High
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These dwarf snapdragons pack serious flower power into a compact footprint, blooming continuously from spring through fall without demanding much from the gardener. The heirloom genetics means you're growing a plant with real history, preserved and passed down through generations of growers who loved its reliability and prolific flowering habit. Sow seed in late winter and you'll have blooms by late spring; direct sow in spring and fall for waves of color throughout the season.
Night and Day Snapdragons serve as reliable border plants and container specimens, producing continuous color from spring into late fall. The edible flowers work as colorful plate garnishes and add visual interest to fresh salads, while the abundant blooms also make them excellent choices for cutting, especially when harvested in the morning as the petals are just opening.
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost in containers kept at 60-70°F. Chill seeds in a refrigerator for 2-3 days before sowing to improve germination rates. Sow seeds on the surface of a sterile seed-starting mix (preferably one with added vermiculite to prevent fungal problems), pressing them in lightly since they need light to germinate. Water from below by setting containers in a tray rather than overhead watering, which can encourage fungal issues. Seeds will sprout in 5-14 days at proper temperature.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 8-10 weeks after sowing, once they've developed their first true leaves and after your last frost date has passed. Harden off plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before final planting. Space plants 8 inches apart in their garden location.
Direct sow outdoors in spring, 1-2 weeks before your last frost date, as these half-hardy plants tolerate light frosts. In mild climates, direct sow in late summer to early fall for winter and spring bloom. Sow on the soil surface and press lightly into contact with soil; do not cover, as seeds need light to germinate.
For cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blossoms are freshest and petals are just opening. Use a clean knife dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to prevent disease transmission. For edible flowers, harvest individual blooms at peak freshness; a few drops of bleach added to the vase will prolong the beauty of cut arrangements. Deadheading spent flowers throughout the season encourages additional bloom production.
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