A staple in cottage gardens around the world, the vibrantly colored snapdragon plant is sure to be one of the most unique plants in your entire home garden. This cool-weather plant puts out flowers of the most impressive yellows, purples, pinks, and reds during the spring and fall months. Their tall stalks covered in flowers are a major attractor of bumblebees, as they are needed to pollinate the snapdragon. It is very important to note that the snapdragon is not edible, and is poisonous if ingested.

So you’ve decided to plant snapdragons in your garden? According to our research on snapdragons, you can plant anything nearby!

Snapdragons are annuals in most zones, but are tender perennials in zones 8 and 9 in the southern US. Plant snapdragon in an area that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. As the snapdragon grows, feel free to clip away stray branches to keep growth dense and bushy. Taller varieties of snapdragons may require staking or a trellis for support. In the early stages of growth, keep the soil moist, but as the plant becomes established, it will only require about an inch of water per week. Avoid watering from overhead to keep leaves dry and avoid rust disease. Be sure to remove spent blooms in order to keep the plant’s growth cycle active.

The large spike look of the snapdragon’s flowers creates an appealing border or focal point in your home garden. Interestingly, the snapdragon can also deter some pesky visitors to your garden, deer. The foul flavor of the leaves will hopefully deter any deer from taking a nibble or two from your crops.