Copper Queen snapdragons bring warm, glowing color to gardens from spring through fall, earning their name from the rich copper tones of their spires. These heirloom beauties reach a compact 24 inches tall, making them excellent for borders, cutting gardens, or containers. Blooming 84 to 98 days from seed, they're remarkably resilient, flowering continuously across nine months of the year while deer leave them alone and pollinators flock to their nectar-rich blooms.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
6-11
24in H x 10in W
—
High
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The copper-toned flowers emerge on sturdy spires that bloom for months without fail, and these plants actually thrive on the kind of moderate watering that works with most garden schedules rather than against them. Snapdragons have been beloved garden fixtures for generations, and Copper Queen carries that heritage while offering practical benefits: it attracts pollinators, resists deer browsing, and its compact stature means it fits gardens of any size. Starting from seed indoors gives you control over timing, letting you plan for continuous color across spring, summer, and fall.
Copper Queen snapdragons shine as cut flowers, their tall spires bringing architectural interest to bouquets and arrangements. The blooms also work beautifully in garden beds and borders where they create vertical accents, and their compact size suits container planting for patios and small spaces.
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Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost. Chill seeds in the refrigerator for 2 days before sowing to improve germination. Sow seeds thinly on the surface of a seed-starting mix amended with vermiculite, pressing them in lightly since they require light to germinate. Keep containers at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Water from below by setting containers in a tray rather than watering from above, which reduces fungal issues. Seeds should sprout in 5 to 14 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost when soil has warmed. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Space plants 8 inches apart in their final location.
For cut flowers, harvest snapdragon spikes in the morning when the lower flowers are open but the top buds remain tight. Cut stems at an angle just above a leaf node to encourage side shoots and continued blooming. Flowers last longest in a vase when harvested this way.
Pinch back young plants when they reach 4 to 6 inches tall to encourage branching and fuller growth. Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly throughout the season to extend blooming and prevent the plant from setting seed prematurely.
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