The snapdragons, which are often found in our gardens, are considered to be relatively insensitive to frost and therefore hardy. Unfortunately, this statement does not apply to all perennials, because how frost-resistant the snapdragon is depends primarily on the breeding form.

The snapdragon is hardy

Hybrids are not hardy

Many commercially available snapdragons are F1 hybrids, specially bred plants that have been inbred to meet consumer needs. This can also apply to seeds. A look at the packaging reveals whether it is a genetically modified plant or a "real" snapdragon.

These hybrids usually only bloom very nicely in the first year and then have used up their strength. In the second year they form only sparse flowers and grow much less vigorously. They are also infertile in most cases. If they do form seeds, however, the properties of the plants used are similar to those of the grandparents.

Since the hybrids are not assertive perennials, overwintering them is not worth the effort. Dig up these snapdragons in the fall and next spring replace the plants with newly purchased perennials or snapdragons you raised yourself.

Snapdragons hibernate

This is different with "real" snapdragons, which thrive as perennial perennials and which are not affected by temperatures in the lower minus range.

This is how hibernation works well:

  • Do not cut back snapdragons in autumn, as the naturally grown foliage provides good protection against the cold.
  • Spread a layer of mulch (€239.00) and spruce sticks over the plant.
  • In April, the winter protection is removed and the snapdragon is cut back to a height of one to two handbreadths above the ground.
  • Work some compost and horn shavings (€32.93) into the soil to help you get started in the new garden year.

Digging up snapdragons

In very harsh regions, the snapdragons sometimes do not survive the extremely low temperatures. Often one reads the advice to dig up the plants here and to overwinter the root ball with the above-ground parts of the plant, which have been cut back to about a hand's breadth, in the cellar.

This works well, but weakens the flowering plant so much that it produces significantly fewer flowers the next year. Therefore, in very cold locations, it often makes more sense not to hibernate the snapdragons but to plant them again every spring.

Overwinter the snapdragon on the balcony

Here, too, it is only worth overwintering the real snapdragons.

  • Move the planters as close as possible to the protective house wall.
  • Place clay pots on styrofoam or wood to protect them from severe ground frost. - Cover plants with an air-permeable, warming fleece or brushwood.

tips

If you want to cultivate snapdragons for many years, you should make sure when sowing that they are not hybrids. In this case, it is advisable to use genetically unmodified organic seeds.

Category:

Vegetable garden