Angelonia. C17

Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) gives the impression of being a delicate and fussy plant, but growing Angelonia is actually quite easy. The plants are called summer snapdragons because they produce a profusion of flowers that resemble small snapdragons throughout the summer, and in hot climates the flowering continues into autumn.

An Angelonia plant grows about 45.5 cm high, the leaves emanate a certain apple-like scent. The flowers bloom in upright spikes at the tips of the main stems. The flowers of the species are bluish purple and the cultivars are available in white, blue, light pink and bicolour. Angelonia flowers do not need to be defoliated to produce a continuous display of flowers.

Use Angelonia as an annual bedding plant in beds or plant it en masse for a showy display. They also grow well in pots and planters. They make good cut flowers and the foliage retains its fragrance indoors. 

Choose a site in full sun or light shade and set out bedding plants in spring two to three weeks after the last expected frost. Space them 30 cm apart in cold climates and 45-60 cm apart in warm regions. When young plants are 15 cm tall, pinch out the tips of the main stems to encourage branching and bush growth.

Seeds of Angelonia plants are not readily available, but if you can find them you can sow them directly outdoors. In colder areas, sow them indoors. Seeds usually take about 20 days to germinate, but can take up to two months.

Post-flowering Angelonia plants prefer moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate short periods of drought, especially if the soil is enriched with compost before planting. Keep the soil around young seedlings moist.

Allow the soil to dry out between waterings once the plants are well established. Apply a light 10-5-10 fertiliser to the plants once a month, but do not overdo it. If you give them too much fertiliser, they will produce more foliage and fewer flowers.

Feed potted plants with liquid fertiliser mixed according to package directions. If Angelonia plants start to grow in mid-summer, cut them back to about half their height. They will soon grow back and produce a new flush of flowers.