Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia)
Angelonia angustifolia offers stunning, long-lasting spikes of violet, pink, or white blooms in full sun. A low-maintenance annual powerhouse.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Angelonia angustifolia, commonly known as Angelonia or Summer Snapdragon, is prized by gardeners for its exceptional heat tolerance and continuous flush of flower spikes throughout the hottest months. This upright perennial brings vertical interest wherever it is planted, effortlessly carrying blooms from early summer until the first hard frost. Its structure and vibrant coloration make it a reliable anchor for summer displays.
Native to tropical regions including Mexico and the West Indies, Angelonia excels in conditions that often cause other annuals to decline, such as high humidity and relentless sun exposure. While it is a slow-growing tropical perennial, it provides fantastic value when grown as an annual, delivering reliable performance with minimal fuss. The narrow, lanceolate foliage provides a neat backdrop for the abundant, snapdragon-like flowers clustered densely on terminal spikes.
Gardeners appreciate that Angelonia angustifolia requires surprisingly little attention once established. Requiring only medium water and thriving in full sun, this plant is perfect for busy homeowners or commercial landscapes where low maintenance is key. Incorporating Angelonia into your planting plan ensures reliable color saturation during the peak summer season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Mexico, West Indies, South America
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Deep mauve to violet, white, pink, bicolors
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For best results, plant Angelonia angustifolia in the spring after all danger of frost has passed, treating it as a bedding or container annual outside of its tropical zones. It necessitates well-drained soil; while it prefers moist, fertile conditions, its tolerance for dry soil means poor drainage is more detrimental than temporary dryness. Ensure the planting location receives maximum sun exposure for the densest blooming habit.
Watering should be kept consistent, maintaining medium moisture levels, though Angelonia exhibits good drought tolerance once its root system develops. Fertilization is generally not critical if soil fertility is adequate, but a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied at planting time can support heavy summer flowering. No deadheading is typically required, as the plant self-cleans, maintaining its tidy, upright presentation.
In colder climates where Angelonia angustifolia is grown strictly as an annual, simply remove plants at the end of the season. If attempting to overwinter viable specimens from Zones 9-11, remember that container-grown plants are often difficult to successfully bring through winter indoors; ensure they receive bright light and reduced water if attempting this practice. For reliability, many gardeners in northern areas opt to purchase fresh Angelonia stock each spring.
Landscape Uses
Angelonia succeeds brilliantly when used as an edging plant or massed effect in garden beds and borders, providing bold, vertical punctuation throughout the summer. Its reliable height (1 to 1.5 feet) makes it an excellent intermediate layer in mixed plantings, standing taller than groundcovers but shorter than large shrubs. In large installations, massing Angelonia creates a powerful block of continuous color unaffected by extreme summer heat.
This plant is equally suited for container gardening. Group potted Angelonia with trailing petunias, calibrachoa, or upright geraniums to create layered container compositions. Because it handles full blazing sunlight so well, it thrives on hot patios or in window boxes where less vigorous flowers might wilt or fade prematurely.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Angelonia angustifolia, commonly called angelonia or summer snapdragon, is native to Mexico and the West Indies. It is an upright, glabrous, somewhat bushy, tropical perennial that is noted for its long summer bloom of small snapdragon-like flowers. Plants typically grow 12-18” tall. Stems are clad with narrow, oblong to lanceolate, green leaves (to 3” long) with toothed margins. Bluish-purple flowers bloom from late spring to early fall in narrow terminal spikes (to 8” long).
Tolerances
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
Angelonia angustifolia generally enjoys a clean bill of health, showing no serious insect or disease problems under standard growing conditions. The primary concern relates to fungal issues, specifically powdery mildew, which can appear late in the season if air circulation is poor, particularly in humid environments. Aphids may occasionally appear on new growth but are rarely damaging enough to warrant intervention. Ensure proper spacing between plants to maximize airflow, which mitigates mildew risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Angelonia suitable for?
Angelonia angustifolia is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11, thriving as a perennial in these warmer regions.
How large does Angelonia grow?
Mature Angelonia plants typically reach heights between 1 and 1.5 feet, with a spread of 0.75 to 1 foot.
When does Angelonia bloom?
This plant produces its flowers from June through September, displaying bloom colors ranging from deep mauve and violet to clear white and pink bicolors.
What sun exposure does Angelonia need?
Angelonia requires full sun exposure to maintain its compact habit and achieve maximum flower production throughout the summer season.
Conclusion
The summer snapdragon, Angelonia angustifolia, is an indispensable plant for gardeners seeking reliable, low-maintenance summer color that laughs in the face of heat and humidity. Its upright spikes and consistent performance define it as a top choice for both bedding designs and container cultivation. Before planting, confirm your local zone compatibility or plan to treat this spectacular Angelonia as a dependable annual.
Companion Planting
When designing mixed beds featuring Angelonia, select companions that share an affinity for full sun and similar medium water requirements. Calibrachoa and certain varieties of upright Geraniums pair well as they offer contrasting flower shapes while sharing heat tolerance. For texture, consider using silver foliage plants like Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ or low-growing Alyssum to highlight the deep purple and vibrant pink colors produced by Angelonia angustifolia.
Seasonal Care Calendar
For gardeners growing Angelonia as an annual, apply a slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting, followed by a liquid feed only if growth appears stunted mid-summer. If you live near the border of Zone 9, monitor plants after significant temperature drops, as they are sensitive to frost; cover them if a mild chill is forecast. In all zones, maintain medium soil moisture during peak summer heat, stepping up watering slightly for containers, which dry out far faster than in-ground plantings.
