Trailing snapdragon (Asarina procumbens)
Asarina procumbens, the Trailing snapdragon, offers delicate, pale yellow flowers and thrives as a low-growing ground cover in sunny spots.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Trailing snapdragon (Asarina procumbens) is a charming, low-growing perennial highly valued for its ability to cascade gracefully over hardscape elements. Its trailing stems are adorned with kidney-shaped, grey-green leaves, creating a soft blanket effect in the garden. Named affectionately for its resemblance to true snapdragons, this species presents unique, two-lipped flowers perfect for adding texture to borders and walls.
Native to Southern Europe, Asarina procumbens generally performs best in regions with cooler summers, where it can reliably establish itself as a perennial. It is easy to manage, boasting low maintenance requirements, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking high visual impact with minimal effort.
This procumbent species is particularly effective as a ground cover or spilling over the edges of planters, softening harsh lines in the landscape. Whether grown as a dependable annual or a hardy perennial in warmer zones, Asarina procumbens provides a delightful splash of pale yellow blooms throughout the summer months.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Southern Europe
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0-0.25 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Pale yellow with deep yellow throat and light purple veins
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Asarina procumbens where it receives full sun to partial shade. The ideal soil structure consists of sandy, organically rich loam that is medium in moisture and drains exceptionally well. Early spring planting is best after the danger of frost has passed, ensuring the roots establish before sustained summer heat sets in.
Water Asarina procumbens consistently to maintain medium moisture levels, especially during its primary blooming period in June and July. While it requires low maintenance, plants in excessively hot or dry spots will benefit from supplemental watering. Generally, this species does not require supplemental feeding if the soil is organically rich, but a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can encourage robust growth.
In cooler northern climates (like the St. Louis area benchmarked), many gardeners successfully treat Trailing snapdragon as an annual since winter survival is unreliable. If attempting perennial culture in borderline zones, site the plant in a protected area—perhaps against a south-facing wall—and apply a thick layer of insulating winter mulch, such as straw or evergreen boughs, after the ground freezes. Plants are evergreen in climates with mild winters, minimizing the need for extensive fall cleanup.
Landscape Uses
The primary appeal of Asarina procumbens lies in its cascading habit, making it an excellent candidate for rock gardens where it can tumble down built stone structures. It excels at softening the hard edges of dry-stacked walls or retaining features, blending stone with living texture. When utilized as an annual, it spills magnificently out of large containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes, allowing the airy stems to drape dramatically toward the ground.
Because of its moderate spread and low height, it functions perfectly as a living mulch or ground cover between stepping stones, provided the area receives the necessary sun exposure. Consider pairing Trailing snapdragon with contrasting upright plants that appreciate similar well-drained soil conditions, such as dwarf sedums or creeping thyme varieties, to create layered interest in a sunny border setting.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Asarina procumbens, sometimes commonly called creeping snapdragon, is native to the Iberian Peninsula. It is a procumbent perennial noted for its trailing stems and snapdragon-like flowers. It was once included in the snapdragon genus as Antirrhinum asarina. It typically grows to only 2-3” tall and spreads by trailing stems to 24” wide. Reniform (kidney-shaped), coarsely dentate, gray-green leaves to 2” long. Two-lipped, snapdragon-like flowers are pale yellow with deep yellow throats and light purple veining. Flowers bloom singly in the leaf axils in summer. Genus name comes from the Spanish vernacular name for an Antirrhinum. Specific epithet means spreading.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Gardeners will appreciate the inherent resilience of Asarina procumbens, as it generally suffers from no serious insect pests or common fungal diseases. This low level of pest pressure contributes significantly to its overall low maintenance rating. Because it prefers well-drained soil, the primary threat comes from excess moisture; ensure planting sites do not hold standing water, especially during winter, to prevent root rot.
If the plant fails to return in the spring in borderline hardiness zones, it often leaves behind self-sown seedlings. If this naturalizing tendency occurs, the species may reappear the following year even if the parent plant did not survive the cold weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Trailing snapdragon suitable for?
Asarina procumbens is generally hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 9, though it performs best in the cooler end of that range.
How large does Asarina procumbens grow?
This plant remains very low to the ground, typically only reaching 0.25 feet tall, but it spreads horizontally to cover an area between 1 and 2 feet wide via its trailing stems.
What sun exposure does Trailing snapdragon need?
For the best floral display, provide Asarina procumbens with full sun to part shade conditions, paying special attention to keeping it cooler during intense summer heat.
When does Trailing snapdragon bloom?
The primary bloom period for this species is from June into July, featuring distinctive pale yellow flowers accented with deep yellow throats and fine light purple veins.
Conclusion
The Trailing snapdragon (Asarina procumbens) provides exceptional value through its vibrant, low-maintenance coverage and unique flower structure. Its ability to spill beautifully makes it a must-have for softening walls and containers across Zones 6-9. Review your local microclimate and soil drainage before planting to best secure its success, whether you rely on it as a superb annual display or as a dependable perennial groundcover.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Asarina procumbens, focus on plants that share its preference for excellent drainage and its medium water needs. Low-growing succulents, sedums, or hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum) are ideal partners, as they thrive in similar sun exposure and tolerate the same soil structure required by the Trailing snapdragon.
For container arrangements, consider planting upright, spiky architectural plants in the center, such as dwarf ornamental grasses or small upright thyme cultivars. This juxtaposition of upright structure against the delicate, trailing habit of the Asarina procumbens creates dynamic height variation that keeps the container visually interesting all season long.
Propagation Tips
While Asarina procumbens may self-seed in ideal conditions, propagation via cuttings offers a faster way to increase your stock or move established plants. Take semi-hardwood or softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, positioning them in a well-drained medium under light shade. With consistent medium moisture, these cuttings root relatively quickly, allowing you to multiply your coverage or ensure you have replacements ready if winter temperatures prove too harsh for established perennial plants.
